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The article discusses the nursing home admissions and role of physicians in the rehabilitation, medical care and end-of-life care of older patients in the U.S. Among the factors that led to delay in nursing home admission based on studies were comprehensive geriatric assessment and home visits to determine modifiable risk factors. The importance of recognizing risk factors for admission to planning for the future care needs of older adults is noted. Physicians are encouraged to advise prospective residents and their families to speak to staff and residents at nursing homes. It recommends the American Medical Directors Association (AMDA) as a resource for the continuing education of physicians in nursing home care.

Background. Determining prognosis for nursing home residents is important for care planning, but reliable prediction is difficult. We compared performance of four long-term mortality risk indices for nursing home residents—the Minimum Data Set Mortality Risk Index (MMRI), a recent revision to this index (MMRI-R), and the original and revised Flacker–Kiely models. Methods. We conducted a prospective cohort study in one 92-bed facility in Missouri. Participants were 130 residents who received a Minimum Data Set assessment from May through October, 2007. We collected the Minimum Data Set variables needed to calculate the mortality risk scores. We determined 6- and 12-month mortality for included residents. Using each mortality risk score as the sole independent predictor in logistic models predicting mortality, we determined discrimination (c-statistic) and calibration (Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit statistic) for each model. Results. In our sample, discrimination was 0.59 for both the MMRI and the MMRI-R. Discrimination of the original Flacker–Kiely model was 0.69 for both 6 months and 1 year and 0.71 and 0.70, respectively, for the revised model. Model calibration was adequate for all models. Conclusions. Performance of four models that predict long-term mortality of nursing home residents was fair. In our population, the Flacker–Kiely models had similar and markedly better discrimination than either the MMRI or the MMRI-R. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the percentage of U.S. women aged 70 and older who reported a recent mammography recommendation and to identify whether factors suggesting limited life expectancy, such as comorbidities, are associated with a lower probability of a reported recommendation. DESIGN: A national, population-based, cross-sectional survey. SETTING: United States. PARTICIPANTS: There were 1,782 screen-eligible women 70 and older who responded to the National Health Interview Survey in 2005 and met eligibility criteria, including reporting at least one doctor visit in the previous 12 months. Weighted, these women represented almost 9.3 million women nationally. MEASUREMENTS: Multiple logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between demographic, comorbidity, and health services utilization variables on self-reported physician recommendation for a mammogram. RESULTS: More than half (58.9%) of the sample reported a recent mammography recommendation (63.0% of those aged 70 to 79 and 51.5% of those aged 80 and older). The strongest multivariable association suggested that women who reported a recent clinical breast examination (CBE) had 5.9 times greater odds of reporting a mammography recommendation than women who reported never having a CBE. CONCLUSION: This study failed to find negative associations between factors suggesting limited life expectancy and a recent mammography recommendation. Instead, findings revealed a strong positive association between a recent CBE and mammography recommendation. Findings may suggest that recent clinical interactions weigh more heavily on a decision to recommend mammography to older, screen-eligible women than considerations for the woman's overall long-term health or may reflect a greater perceived or actual recall of physician recommendations from women with a recent CBE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine, we developed a voluntary senior-mentor program, the Senior Teacher Educator Partnership (STEP), for first- and second-year medical students. Using qualitative research methods, we examined the impact of STEP on medical students' attitudes and then assessed the congruence of what is learned through STEP with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to provide care to the elderly patient. STEP was found to be a successful strategy for teaching themes of recognizing the elderly within an ecological context, enhancing sympathy and empathy, emphasizing respect for elderly persons, and gaining an appreciation that aging is an individualized process. New areas identified for student learning experiences included understanding the complexity of the health care system and its impact on elderly patients, understanding the payment system, and developing skills in assessment and care coordination. A model is described for continuous enhancement of educational programs to be used to improve educational experience in geriatrics. doi:10.1300/J021v27n02_05 [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

To determine resident and facility characteristics associated with do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders and to test the effect of DNR orders on hospitalization of acutely ill nursing home (NH) residents with lower respiratory tract infections (LRIs). Prospective cohort. Thirty-six NHs (almost 4,000 residents) in central and eastern Missouri in the Missouri Lower Respiratory Infection study. NH residents with a LRI (n=1031). Data were obtained from new Minimum Data Set evaluations, resident examination, and chart review. Associations between resident, physician, and facility characteristics and the presence of a DNR order and hospitalization within 30 days from evaluation for an LRI were analyzed. Sixty percent of subjects had a DNR order, and 2% had a do-not-hospitalize order. Resident characteristics associated with a DNR order included older age, white race, having a surrogate decision-maker, NH residence for longer than 3 years, and more-impaired cognition. Residents with DNR orders were more likely to live in facilities with more licensed beds, a lower proportion of Medicaid recipients, and a higher prevalence of influenza vaccination. After controlling for potential confounders, residents with a DNR order before the acute illness episode were significantly less likely to be hospitalized (adjusted odds ratio=0.69, 95% confidence interval=0.49–0.97). DNR orders independently reduce the risk of hospitalization for LRI and may function as a marker for undocumented care limitations or as a mandate to limit care (unrelated to resuscitation) in NH residents with LRI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Scant information exists about the risk of functional decline following treatment of acute illness in the nursing home (NH) setting. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of short-term (30-day) functional decline among survivors of NH-acquired lower respiratory tract infection (LRI) and the factors that predict such decline, including the role of initial hospitalization.Methods: We used a prospective cohort design to study 781 episodes of LRI in 1044 NH residents in 36 NHs in central Missouri and the St. Louis metropolitan area. Functional decline was defined as a 3-point increase on the Minimum Data Set (MDS) activities of daily living (ADL) long form scale.Results: Of 781 LRI cases who survived to 30 days, the incidence of ADL decline was 28.8%. In a logistic regression model that used generalized estimating equations to adjust for clustering, variables associated with ADL decline included the following: chronic feeding tube use (AOR = 4.54, 95% confidence interval, or CI, 1.61, 12.80), decubitus ulcer (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.29, 95% CI 1.35, 3.90), shortness of breath (AOR = 2.18, 95% CI 1.44, 3.30), short-term memory problems (AOR = 2.07, 95% CI 1.33, 3.23), decline in self-performance of toilet use in the 24 hours prior to evaluation (AOR = 1.65, 95% CI 1.29, 2.12), age (AOR = 1.02, 95% CI 1.00, 1.05), and baseline ADL score. Addition of treatment variables to the model showed that initial hospitalization was also associated with ADL decline (AOR = 1.90, 95% CI 1.20, 3.00). Residents with ADL decline at 30 days were less likely to recover to their baseline ADL status at 90 days.Conclusions: Many NH residents who survive to 30 days following LRI develop new functional limitations, and such individuals are at risk for ADL decline at 90 days. A limited number of clinical variables may predict short-term functional decline. Initial hospitalization for acute treatment of LRI may increase the risk of subsequent ADL decline among individuals who survive to 30 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which determined the predictors of short-term functional decline in survivors of nursing home-acquired lower respiratory tract infection. Characteristics of the participants; Methodology; Results and conclusions.

Identifies patient characteristics predictive of 30-day mortality in nursing home residents with a lower respiratory tract infection (LRI). Design, setting, and patients in the study made in Missouri; Main outcome measures; Results; Conclusion that the research distinguishes those at relatively low risk for mortality due to LRI.

Part II. Focuses on the importance of treatments for type 2 diabetes, which retain weight reduction and physical activity. Treatment of metabolic defects in type 2 diabetes; Highlights of a discussion on the treatment of type 2 diabetes in primary care. INSET: Update on troglitazone and liver toxicity.

Part III. Focuses on the article `Type 2 Diabetes: Patient Education and Home Blood Glucose Monitoring,' published in the May 1998 issue of the `Geriatrics' journal. Most effective treatment for type 2 diabetes; Prevalence of the disease; Information on home glucose monitoring; Comments made by doctors during a discussion relating to type 2 diabetes.

Reports on round table discussion between various medical practitioners on type 2 diabetes mellitus and the impact of this disease on the American population. Factors contributing to the development of this disease; Complications associated with this disease; Challenges posed by the disease; Comments from these individuals. INSET: ADA clinical practice recommendations for 1998.