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The purpose of this study was to test the reliability and validity of the UMOVE Mobility Screen in older adults living with dementia using a Rasch analysis and hypothesis testing. The UMOVE Mobility Screen (UMOVE) focuses on nine activities: following commands, muscle strength, and basic functional mobility tasks. Trained evaluators completed assessments on 244 patients, the majority of whom were female (62%), and White (71%). Based on Rasch Analysis, there was evidence of good item and person reliability (indexes > 0.80), good INFIT statistics, and only one item fitting the model based on OUTFIT statistics. Validity was supported based on hypothesis testing. There was no evidence of Differential Item Functioning between races and genders. Item mapping raised concerns about the spread of the items across the full spectrum of mobility assessed in the UMOVE Mobility Screen. Future testing should consider adding some easier and some more difficult items. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Older adults continue to spend little time engaged in physical activity when hospitalized. The purpose of this study was to (a) describe activity among hospitalized older adults with dementia and (b) identify the association between specific factors (gender, ambulation independence, comorbidities, race, and hospital setting) and their physical activity. This descriptive study utilized baseline data on the first 79 participants from the Function Focused Care for Acute Care using the Evidence Integration Triangle. Multiple linear regression models were run using accelerometry data from the first full day of hospitalization. The participants spent an average of 83.7% of their time being sedentary. Male gender, ambulation independence, and hospital setting (the hospital in which the patient was admitted) were associated with greater activity. This study reports on the limited time spent in activity for older adults with dementia when hospitalized and highlights patient profiles that are particularly vulnerable to sedentary behavior in the hospital setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hip fracture is a common event in older adults, leading to an increased risk of mortality, disability, and higher healthcare costs. Early in-hospital rehabilitation after surgery within orthogeriatric units may improve outcomes with limited incident complications even in the oldest old. We aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of non-adherence to early rehabilitation in the orthogeriatric unit of an Italian tertiary hospital and its impact on outcomes and setting at discharge. Methods: Retrospective observational single-centered cohort study. Patients aged ≥ 65 years admitted to the orthogeriatric unit for hip fracture who underwent surgery between April 2019 and October 2020 were considered eligible if able to walk autonomously or with assistance and independent in at least 2 Basic Activities of Daily Living. Along with sociodemographic and geriatric variables, characteristics of surgery and rehabilitation, in-hospital complications and functional outcomes at discharge were collected. The primary outcome was non-adherence to the early in-hospital rehabilitation program. Results: Among 283 older patients (mean age 82.7 years, 28.6% male), non-compliance with physical therapy was assessed in 49 cases (17.3%), characterized by worse pre-fracture clinical, cognitive, and functional status and showing worse outcomes in terms of mobilization at discharge. After multivariable analysis, non-adherence was independently associated with the onset of delirium (OR 5.26, 95%CI 2.46–11.26; p < 0.001) or infections after surgery (OR 3.26, 95%CI 1.54–6.89; p < 0.001) and a systolic blood pressure at admission < 120 mmHg (OR 4.52, 95%CI 1.96–10.43, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Pre-fracture poor cognitive and functional status, along with lower systolic blood pressure, seem to make some patients more vulnerable to in-hospital complications (mainly delirium and infections) and negatively affect the adherence to physical therapy and, by consequence, clinical outcomes of rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Catheter Ablation (CA) is an effective treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, frail elderly patients have been understudied due to their exclusion from landmark trials. Objectives: Our study aims to evaluate outcomes in this population. Methods: The national readmission database (2016–2020) was queried, and frailty categories were defined based on hospital risk frailty scores ≦5 as low while >5 as intermediate/high frailty (IHF). We used multivariate regression and propensity‐matched analysis to compare outcomes in patients undergoing CA for atrial fibrillation based on frailty index. Results: Among 55 936 CAs for AF, 33,248 patients had low frailty, while 22 688 had intermediate/high frailty (IHF). After propensity matching (N 12 448), IHF patients were found to have higher adverse events, including mortality (3% vs. 0.3%, p <.001), stroke (1.9% vs. 0.2%, p <.001), acute heart failure (53.8% vs. 42.2%, p <.001), AKI (42.5% vs. 6.8%, p <.001), pericardial complications (2.8 vs. 1.6%, p <.001), respiratory complications (27.8 vs. 7.2%, p <.001), major adverse cardiovascular events (21.2 vs. 9.4%, p <.001) and net adverse events (76.7 vs. 55%, p <.001). IHF patients had higher readmissions at 30 (15.5 vs. 12.6%, p <.001), 90 (31.9 vs. 25.1%, p <.001), and 180‐day (41 vs. 34.7%, p <.001) intervals. A higher median length of stay (LOS) (7 vs. 3 days, p <.001) and cost ($44 287 vs. $27 517, p <.001) at index admission and subsequent readmissions were also observed (p <.001). Conclusion: Intermediate/high frailty patients undergoing catheter ablation had worse clinical outcomes, higher healthcare burden, and readmission rates. LOS has decreased in both groups from 2016 to 2020; however, total cost has increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Polypharmacy is a primary risk factor for the prescription of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), drug–drug interactions (DDIs), and ultimately, adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Medication review and deprescribing represent effective strategies to simplify therapeutic regimens, minimize risks, and reduce PIM prescriptions. This systematic review and meta‐analysis of experimental and observational studies aimed to evaluate the impact of different medication review and deprescribing interventions in hospitalized older patients. Methods: Experimental and observational prospective cohort studies evaluating the clinical effects of medication review and deprescribing strategies in older hospitalized patients were searched in the bibliographic databases, PubMed, Embase, and Scopus, from inception until January 8, 2024. A narrative synthesis of the results was provided, along with a meta‐analysis of dichotomous data (i.e., re‐hospitalizations and mortality). Results: Overall, 21 randomized controlled trials, 7 non‐randomized interventional studies, and 2 prospective cohort studies were included in the systematic review. Of these, 14 (46.7%) assessed medication appropriateness as the primary outcome, while the remaining evaluated clinical outcomes (e.g., length of hospital stay, hospital readmissions, emergency department visits, and incidence of ADRs) and/or quality of life. The meta‐analysis revealed a slight but statistically significant 8% reduction in hospital readmissions (HR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.85–0.99) following medication review and deprescribing, but no significant impact on mortality (HR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.96–1.00). Of the 30 included studies, 21 were considered at high risk of bias, mostly due to potential deviations from intended interventions and randomization processes. The remaining nine studies had "some concerns" (eight studies) or were considered at "low" risk of bias (one study). Conclusion: Medication review and deprescribing are associated with potential benefits in reducing hospital readmission rates among hospitalized older patients, particularly through the reduction of PIM prescriptions. The integration of thorough medication review and deprescribing protocols in hospital settings may improve post‐discharge outcomes and reduce overall healthcare costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Potentially harmful polypharmacy is a growing public health concern. This article aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured Team Approach to Polypharmacy Evaluation and Reduction (AusTAPER) framework. Methods: We recruited patients at metropolitan hospitals for a randomised controlled trial with 12 months of follow‐up. The intervention included a comprehensive medicines history, multidisciplinary meeting and medicines review prior to discharge, with engagement with the participants' general practitioner extending after discharge. The primary outcome was the change in the number of regular medicines used at 12 months from baseline. A cost consequence was performed to estimate costs per participant during the study period. Results: There were 98 participants enrolled in the study. The number of regular medicines was significantly reduced from baseline in both groups (−1.7 ± 4.3, t = 2.38, P = 0.02 in the control group vs −2.7 ± 3.6, t = 4.48, P = 0.0001 in the intervention group), although there was no statistical difference detected between the two groups (1.0 (SE 0.9), t = 1.03, P = 0.31). The intervention was estimated to cost AU$644.17 and was associated with cost savings of AU$552.53 per participant in sustained reduced medicines cost. Health outcomes and healthcare costs were similar in both groups. Discussion: Medicines were significantly reduced in both groups, with a trend to a larger reduction in medicines at 12 months in the intervention group. The intervention cost was approximately offset by sustained reduced medicines cost, although these results should be regarded cautiously because of the absence of significance in the differences in outcomes between groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: As life expectancy has been increasing, older patients are becoming more central to the healthcare system, leading to more intensive care use and longer hospital stays. Nevertheless, advancements in minimally invasive surgical techniques offer safe and effective options for older patients with colorectal diseases. This study aims to provide comprehensive evidence on the role of minimally invasive surgery in treating colorectal diseases in older patients. Material and methods: All articles directly compared the minimally invasive approach with open surgery in patients aged ≥65 years. The present metanalysis took 30-day complications as primary outcomes. Length of hospital stay, readmission, and 30-day mortality were also assessed, as secondary outcomes. Further subgroup analyses were carried out based on surgery setting, lesion features, and location. Results: After searching the main databases, 84 articles were included. Evaluation of 30-day complications rate, length of hospital stay, and 30-day mortality significantly favored minimally invasive approaches. The outcome readmission did not show any significant difference. Conclusions: The current metanalysis demonstrates clear advantages of minimally invasive techniques over open surgery in colorectal procedures for older patients, particularly in reducing complications, mortality, and hospitalization. This suggests that prioritizing these techniques, based on available expertise and facilities, could improve outcomes and quality of care for older patients undergoing colorectal surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Key predictors of three trajectory group membership of potentially preventable hospitalisations were age, the number of comorbidities, the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure, and frailty risk at the occurrence of hip fracture. These predictors of their trajectory group could be used in targeting prevention strategies. Purpose: Although older adults with hip fracture have a higher risk of multiple readmissions after index hospitalisation, little is known about potentially preventable hospitalisations (PPH) after discharge. This study examined group-based trajectories of PPH during a five-year period after a hip fracture among older adults and identified factors predictive of their trajectory group membership. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted using linked hospitalisation and mortality data in New South Wales, Australia, between 2013 and 2021. Patients aged ≥ 65 years who were admitted after a hip fracture and discharged between 2014 and 2016 were identified. Group-based trajectory models were derived based on the number of subsequent PPH following the index hospitalisation. Multinominal logistic regression examined factors predictive of trajectory group membership. Results: Three PPH trajectory groups were revealed among 17,591 patients: no PPH (89.5%), low PPH (10.0%), and high PPH (0.4%). Key predictors of PPH trajectory group membership were age, number of comorbidities, dementia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure (CHF), frailty risk, place of incident, surgery, rehabilitation, and length of hospital stay. The high PPH had a higher proportion of patients with ≥ 2 comorbidities (OR: 1.86, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04–3.32) and COPD (OR: 2.97, 95%CIs: 1.76–5.04) than the low PPH, and the low and high PPHs were more likely to have CHF and high frailty risk as well as ≥ 2 comorbidities and COPD than the no PPH. Conclusions: Identifying trajectories of PPH after a hip fracture and factors predictive of trajectory group membership could be used to target strategies to reduce multiple readmissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on an intervention to increase code status conversations for emergency department patients aged 75 years and above being admitted to the hospital. Topics discussed include the objectives of the study, details on the study's participants, and the association of a teaching intervention combined with email reminders with increases in documented code status discussions and do-not-attempt-resuscitation code status for the patients.

Objectives: This review examines health care team-focused interventions on managing persistent or recurrent distress behaviors among older adults in long-term residential or inpatient health care settings. Methods: We searched interventions addressing health care worker (HCW) knowledge and skills related to distress behavior management using Ovid MEDLINE, Elsevier Embase, and Ovid PsycINFO from December 2002 through December 2022. Results: We screened 6,582 articles; 29 randomized trials met inclusion criteria. Three studies on patient-facing HCW interactions (e.g. medication management, diagnosing distress) showed mixed results on agitation; one study found no effect on quality of life. Six HCW-focused studies suggested short-term reduction in distress behaviors. Quality-of-life improvement or decreased antipsychotic use was not evidenced. Among 17 interventions combining HCW-focused and patient-facing activities, 0 showed significant distress reduction, 8 showed significant antipsychotic reduction (OR = 0.79, 95%CI [0.69, 0.91]) and 9 showed quality of life improvements (SMD = 0.71, 95%CI [0.39, 1.04]). One study evaluating HCW, patient-, and environmental-focused intervention activities showed short-term improvement in agitation. Conclusions and Clinical Implications: Novel health care models combining HCW training and patient management improve patient quality of life, reduce antipsychotic use, and may reduce distress behaviors. Evaluation of intervention's effects on staff burnout and utilization is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine the use of the PARO robotic pet seal for hospitalized older adults with dementia and compare the effects of PARO use with visits by a human on various outcomes, including physical restraint use, psychotropic medications, bedside sitters, and delirium. Method: Complete data for 38 participants were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U and chi-square tests. Results: Participants interacting with PARO spent less time in their interactions; however, they received fewer psychotropic medications and had fewer instances of delirium than those who interacted with human visitors only. Conclusion: Aspects of hospitalization may limit the time an older adult can sustain attention or be free from interruption; however, short, repeated visits with PARO may affect the development of delirium and decrease use of medications to alter behavior in the hospital setting. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 50(10), 11–16.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral healthcare is one of the most missed aspects of fundamental care. Failure to provide reliable and effective daily oral healthcare for older patients can lead to hospital‐acquired pneumonias, longer hospital stays, increased health costs, and poor patient experience. The objective of this study was to codesign, implement, and evaluate an oral healthcare intervention for older adults in a geriatric unit. This mixed methods implementation project combined the hospital's quality improvement processes with the i‐PARIHS knowledge translation framework. Multilevel facilitation guided the development of multidisciplinary implementation strategies, which were co‐designed, tailored, and implemented at the ward and organizational level, targeting: awareness/engagement; clinical guideline development; building workforce capacity; access to appropriate products; patient awareness and support; utilization of multidisciplinary/dental referral pathways; and systematizing oral healthcare documentation. Gaps between evidence‐based and current oral healthcare practice were identified through audits of practice and interviews with patients. Interviews and surveys with staff evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of the oral healthcare intervention and the success of implementation strategies. At the conclusion of the project, awareness, attitudes, and capacity of staff had increased, however, we could not demonstrate change in multidisciplinary oral healthcare practices or improvements for individual patients. Despite mixed success, the project informed discussions about including oral healthcare as a national healthcare standard for the acute care sector in Australia. Attempts to address oral healthcare may have started locally, but its impact was through policy change, which will empower health practitioners and managers to support practice change more widely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In China, Internet-Based Sharing Nursing Service (IBSNS) is a new mode of nursing service delivery that has been in practice for over five years, which enables nurses to provide care at clients' home. However, the acceptance and associated factors of IBSNS among caregivers of elderly with chronic diseases who are the major clients of the service were unclear. Aim: To explore the acceptance of IBSNS and its associated factors among Chinese caregivers of elderly patient with chronic diseases based on the modified Technology Acceptance Model (mTAM). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2023 to March 2023. Caregivers of hospitalized elderly with chronic diseases were recruited using convenience sampling method from three hospitals in Beijing, China. Data were obtained from self-reports of participants. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze data. Results: A total of 65.1% of the caregivers had neutral to weakly positive behavioral intention of IBSNS use. The mTAM model was supported with good model fit. Perceived ease of use was positively associated with perceived usefulness. Both perceived usefulness and perceived security were positively associated with attitude, consequently, attitude was associated with behavioral intention. Conclusions: Improving the ease of use, security, and usefulness may be helpful to increase the positive attitude towards IBSNS and behavioral intention of using IBSNS, which provides valuable insights that can help healthcare providers improve the integration of technology in patient care, ultimately leading to better health outcomes and more efficient healthcare systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: More than half of older persons admitted to an emergency department after a fall have a hip fracture and require surgery for a total hip replacement. This procedure has a high risk of postoperative complications and consequences for older persons, their informal caregivers, and the healthcare system. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of older persons, their informal caregivers and health professionals about intra-personal, inter-personal and extra-personal stressors arising from hip surgery following the fall of an older person hospitalised in orthopaedics, as well as the coping strategies used and the results obtained. Methods: A qualitative multiple case study. The sample consisted of eight cases. Each case consisted of one older person, their informal caregiver and the professionals involved in their care: a nurse, an orthopaedic surgeon and a physiotherapist. A total of 32 participants were recruited. Data were collected between August 2018 and February 2019 in a public hospital in French-speaking Switzerland. Intra- and inter-case analyses were performed. Results: Five topics emerged: two concerning stressors for older persons (the physical and psychological consequences of the fall and hospitalisation; the loss of relational and environmental markers and habits); two relating to the coping strategies used to face the stressors (being resilient and involved in their own care; partially meeting the older person's needs); and one regarding the results of the strategies used (reassurance through consideration of some of their needs). Conclusions: Older persons hospitalised for hip surgery after a fall are confronted with various intra-, inter- and extra-personal stressors and have to explore, together with their informal caregivers, strategies to cope with the consequences of these stressors. Healthcare professionals should possess efficient intervention strategies to help identify and support older persons who experience various types of stressors during hospitalisation for hip surgery following a fall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/objectives: Primary health care visits post-discharge could potentially play an important role in efforts of reducing hospital readmission. Focusing on a single or a particular type of visit obscures nuances in types of primary care contacts over time and fails to quantify the intensity of primary health care visits during the follow-up period. The aim of this study was to explore associations between the number and type of primary health care visits post-discharge and the risk of hospital readmission within 30 days. Methods: A register-based closed cohort study. The study population of 6135 individuals were residents of Stockholm who were discharged home from any of the 3 geriatric inpatient departments, excluding those who were readmitted within the next 24 h. The dependent variable was hospital readmission within 30 days of discharge. The key independent variable was the number and type of primary health care visits in 30 days post-discharge. Cox-regression with time-varying covariates was employed for data analyses. Results: Approximately, 12% of the participants were readmitted to hospital within 30 days. There was no statistically significant association between number of primary care visits post-discharge and readmission (HR 1.00; 95% CI 1.00-1.01). Compared to no primary health care visit, no statistically significant association were found for administrative care related visits (HR 0.33, 95%CI 0.08-1.33), clinic visits (HR 0.93, 95%CI 0.71-1.21), home visits (HR 1.03, 95%CI 0.84-1.27), or team visits (HR 0.76, 95%CI 0.54-1.07). Conclusions: There were no associations between primary health care visits post-discharge and hospital readmission after geriatric inpatient care. Further studies using survey or qualitative approaches can provide insights into the factors that are relevant to post-discharge care but are unavailable in this type of register data studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Data on the prevalence of malnutrition and nutrient intakes among Indonesian older adults in institutionalized care setting are scattered and scarce. Thus, we conducted a systematic review of published and gray literature to estimate (1) the prevalence of malnutrition, (2) the level and distribution of habitual energy and nutrient intakes, and (3) the prevalence of inadequacy of energy and nutrient intakes among hospitalized and institutionalized older adults in Indonesia. Methods: This systematic review was written following the PRISMA 2020 checklist. The population of this review was Indonesian older adults in institutionalized care settings, including hospital wards, orphanages, nursing homes, residential facilities, and rehabilitation centers. Malnutrition was assessed using body mass index, the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) score, or the subjective global assessment (SGA) score. The dietary intakes (from food recalls, food records, or food frequency questionnaire) were compared with the Indonesian Recommended Dietary Allowances for people aged 65–80. The prevalence of inadequacy was calculated using two-thirds of the Recommended Dietary Allowance as a proxy for the estimated average requirement. Results: The search yielded 330 studies from electronic databases, resulting in fifteen eligible studies. One report was obtained from an unpublished study. Based on the JBI criteria, most studies had low risk of bias and represented the target population. The prevalence of malnutrition in hospital, nursing home, and other institutionalized care ranged from 6.5% to 48.3% in hospitals and 3.2% to 61.0% in other institutionalized care units. In the hospital setting, there was a high prevalence of inadequacies for all nutrients, particularly protein (20%), calcium (more than 90%), and vitamin D intakes (more than 50%). In nursing homes, these proportions were exceptionally high for protein (66%) and calcium and vitamin D intakes (almost 100%). Conclusion: The high risk of malnutrition in Indonesian older adults in institutionalized care setting is pronounced, along with poor intakes of macronutrients and micronutrients in both settings. Plain Language Summary: This systematic review aimed to understand how many Indonesian elderly receiving care in institutional care units such as hospitals, nursing home, rehabilitation unit, and other type of units had malnutrition. Additionally, this systematic review also assessed the intake of several nutrients in the same population, namely, protein, carbohydrate, fat, calcium, and vitamins. This study included references that are not formally published in a research journal as its reference since data on the topic were quite prevalent in the unpublished literature, including theses and governmental reports. This is something that is not usually done in a systematic review, thus serving as a selling point of this study. This review found varying percentages of elderly with impaired nutritional status, which differs across several types of care units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Adults with frailty have palliative care needs [ 1 ] but have disproportionately less access to palliative care services [ 2 ]. Frailty affects ~4000 patients admitted to hospital per day in the UK [ 3 ], making the hospital admission a unique opportunity to assess palliative care needs and deliver interventions. Objectives Synthesise the evidence regarding hospital palliative care (HPC) for patients with frailty. Narratively analyse the evidence regarding methods used to identify palliative care needs; types of palliative care interventions studied; and whether HPC improves outcomes. Methods Systematic literature review and narrative synthesis of experimental, observational and systematic review articles investigating palliative care interventions for hospitalised adults aged ≥65 years with frailty. Electronic search of five databases from database inception to 30 January 2023. Included studies analysed using narrative synthesis according to Popay et al [ 4 ]. Results 15 465 titles retrieved, 12 included. Three studies detailed how they identified palliative care needs; all three used prognostication e.g. the 'surprise question'. Most papers (10/12) investigated specialist palliative care interventions. These interventions addressed a wider range of care needs than non-specialist interventions. Evidence suggested an improvement in some symptom burden and healthcare utilisation outcomes following HPC. Conclusion Prognostication was the main method of identifying palliative care needs, rather than individuals' specific needs. Specialist palliative care interventions were more holistic, indicating that non-specialist palliative care approaches may benefit from specialist team input. Despite suggestions of improvement in some outcomes with palliative care, heterogenous evidence prevented establishment of conclusive effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of linezolid in a retrospective cohort of hospitalized Chinese older patients. Methods: Patients > 60 years of age, who received intravenous linezolid (600 mg), were included. A population pharmacokinetics (PPK) model was established using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling. The predictive performance of the final model was assessed using goodness-of-fit plots, bootstrap analyses, and visual predictive checks. Monte Carlo simulations were used to evaluate the achievement of a pharmacodynamics target for the area under the serum concentration–time curve/minimum inhibitory concentration (AUC0–24/MIC). Results: A total of 210 samples were collected from 120 patients. A one-compartment PPK model with linear elimination best predicted the linezolid plasma concentrations. Linezolid clearance (CL) was 4.22 L h−1 and volume of distribution (Vd) was 45.80 L; serum uric acid (SUA) was a significant covariate of CL. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that the standard dose was associated with a risk of overexposure in older patients, particularly those with high SUA values; these patients would benefit from a lower dose (300 mg every 12 h). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Patients with impaired renal function using medication that affects glomerular filtration rate are at increased risk of developing acute kidney injury (AKI) leading to hospital admissions. The risk increases during periods of dehydration due to diarrhoea, vomiting or fever (so-called "sick days"), or high environmental temperatures (heat wave). This study aims to gain insight into the characteristics and preventability of medication-related admissions for AKI and dehydration in elderly patients. Methods: Retrospective case series study in patients aged ≥ 65 years with admission for acute kidney injury, dehydration or electrolyte imbalance related to dehydration that was defined as medication-related. General practitioner's (GP) patient records including medication history and hospital discharge letters were available. For each admission, patient and admission characteristics were collected to review the patient journey. A case-by-case assessment of preventability of hospital admissions was performed. Results: In total, 75 admissions were included. Most prevalent comorbidities were hypertension, diabetes, and known impaired renal function. Diuretics and RAS-inhibitors were the most prevalent medication combination. Eighty percent of patients experienced non-acute onset of symptoms and 60% had contacted their GP within 2 weeks prior to admission. Around 40% (n = 29) of admissions were considered potentially preventable if pharmacotherapy had been timely and adequately adjusted. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of patients admitted with AKI or dehydration experience non-acute onset of symptoms and had contacted their GP within 2 weeks prior to admission. Timely adjusting of medication in these patients could have potentially prevented a considerable number of admissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Older people often have multiple health conditions and therefore extended care needs. The transition from the hospital back to their home requires careful planning. The fragmented healthcare system and rapid discharge from the hospital can result in limited involvement of the older patient in the discharge planning process. We aimed to explore how older hospitalised patients experienced the transition from hospital to home and how possibilities and constraints in interactions with relevant parties in the transition affected their everyday lives. Method: An ethnographic participant observation study including interviews was conducted with 10 older hospitalised patients. The theoretical perspective in the study is critical psychology and data were analysed using the condition‐, meaning‐ and reasoning analysis. Results: Three themes were identified: (1) Lost in transition – the person's ability to act is limited, (2) In transition – the relatives become important, (3) At home – the home transforms into a workplace. Conclusion: Lack of involvement becomes a condition for older patients as some struggle to create meaning in their transition, affecting their everyday lives. The patients experienced their relatives as important as they ensured that the HCPs got to know their values and wishes. This knowledge is important for HCPs working closely with older people both at the hospital and at home ensuring active involvement of the older person with respect and acknowledgement of the older person's wishes, needs, resources and vulnerability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Although horticultural therapy has been used successfully to reduce neuropsychiatric symptoms in elderly people with cognitive impairment, we do not yet know how it affects balance. The aim of our study was to determine the acceptability and effect of a 12-week horticultural therapy on balance and walking speed among institutionalized older adults with cognitive impairment. This mixed-methods controlled trial included 23 participants. Subjects in the experimental group (n=13) participated in a 60 min horticultural therapy programme twice a week for 12 weeks in addition to the institution's usual social activities. Subjects in the control group (n=10) participated in the institution's usual social activities. Static and dynamic balance were measured with the Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment scale. In addition, gait speed was measured. Qualitative data were collected through a semi-structured interview with participants of the experimental group. At the end of the intervention period, the experimental maintained their baseline performance on the static balance, while the control group showed a decline. The gait speed of the experimental improved, while that of the control group did not change. In dynamic balance, no changes were demonstrated. The results of our qualitative data analysis indicate that horticultural therapy increases the possibility of social interactions, encourages older people to engage in conversation. As a conclusion, horticultural therapy should be more widely included in programmes for older people with cognitive impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Fragility fractures are a serious and common consequence of falls in older adults. Orthogeriatric models of care reduce mortality and morbidity, but, despite this evidence, orthogeriatric programs (OGPs) are not standardized across Canada. The aim of this study was to better understand the facilitators and barriers of OGPs across Canada. Methods Data on OGPs across Canada were gathered via email survey to all Canadian Geriatric Society (CGS) members and distributed April 1st to May 1st 2021. Respondents answered 15 questions, using SKIP LOGIC, and data analysis was conducted with QualtricsXM software. Results 62 CGS members completed the survey. Respondents came from nine provinces/territories, with most being physicians from academic centres. 77% respondents indicated an existing OGP at their site, commonly an optional or automatic geriatrician consult. 23% indicated no formal OGP, of which 56% had an alternative service automatically consulted for older adults with fragility fracture, commonly internal medicine or a hospitalist. Responders indicated the most important factor in establishing an OGP is clinical leadership (56%, 10/18), and the most common barriers are lack of hospital prioritization and lack of funding (41%, 62/153). Conclusions The survey found that clinical leadership, hospital prioritization, and available funding are imperative to establishing OGPs. Limitations include the survey being distributed only to CGS members, a lower response rate, and respondents predominantly from academic centres in Ontario. Further qualitative data from other specialties (for example, orthopedics) and greater representation from community hospitals would be helpful to understand additional perceived barriers and facilitators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate risk factors for falls in hospitalized older adults to justify the adoption of targeted nursing measures. Method: Meta-analysis was used to synthesize national and international published studies on risk factors for falls in hospitalized older adults. Results: A total of 10 studies were included. Administration of psychotropic drugs, limb weakness, weak walking ability or unsteady gait, visual impairment, and history of falls were risk factors for the occur-rence of falls in hospitalized older adults. Administration of psychotropic drugs had the highest association with falls (odds ratio [OR] = 1.86; 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.58, 3.14]) followed by limb weakness (OR = 1.59; 95% CI [0.26, 2.92]) and visual impairment (OR = 1.51; 95% CI [0.22, 2.80]). The lowest combined OR for the association between weak walking ability or unsteady gait and falls was 1.05 (95% CI [0.60, 1.50]) compared with 1.38 (95% CI [1.15, 1.60]) for history of falls. Conclusion: The current meta-analysis derived risk factors for falls in hospitalized older adults, with results having greater stability and reliability than those of a single study. [Research in Gerontological Nursing, 17(5), 238–245.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Frailty is a common condition in older adults that negatively impacts health and quality of life. This study evaluated a comprehensive, personalised, and coordinated intervention under the value-based care approach to address frailty's multidimensional nature in older people in the primary care setting. It employed a pre–post randomised controlled design involving 242 frail individuals aged over 65 years living in the community in Valencia (Spain) between 2021 and 2023. Assessments were conducted at baseline, 12 months (immediately post-intervention), and 18 months. The intervention included a personalised care plan supported by technology, with monthly motivational follow-ups and plan updates by health professionals and participants. Outcomes were measured using an assessment questionnaire that included the International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement dataset for the older population: physical health, physical functioning, general mental health, satisfaction with social activities and relationships, ability to carry out usual social roles and activities, pain, general quality of life, loneliness, physical frailty, psychological frailty, and social frailty. The study found significant improvements in physical frailty, quality of life, reduced health resource use and hospitalisations and lower levels of pain and depression/anxiety compared to baseline. The findings suggest further research into value-based care approaches, emphasizing the development and activation of personalised, comprehensive programs for older individuals with frailty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Adherence to best practices for care of hip fracture patients is fundamental to decreasing morbidity and mortality in older adults. This includes timely transfer from the hospital to rehabilitation soon after their surgical care. Hospitals experience challenges in implementing several best practices. We examined the potential barriers associated with timely discharge for patients who underwent a hip fracture surgery in an academic hospital in Ontario, Canada. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional review of a local database. We used descriptive statistics to characterize individuals according to the time of discharge after surgery. Multivariable binary logistic regression was used to evaluate factors associated with delayed discharge (>6 days post-surgery). Results: A total of 492 patients who underwent hip fracture surgery between September 2019 and August 2020 were included in the study. The odds of having a delayed discharge occurred when patients had a higher frailty score (odds ratios [OR] 1.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02;1.38), experienced an episode of delirium (OR 2.54, 95% CI 1.35;4.79), or were non-weightbearing (OR 3.00, 95% CI 1.07;8.43). Patients were less likely to have a delayed discharge when the surgery was on a weekend (OR.50, 95% CI.32;.79) compared to a weekday, patients had a total hip replacement (OR.28, 95% CI.10;.80) or dynamic hip screw fixation (OR.49, 95% CI.25;.98) compared to intramedullary nails, or patients who were discharged to long-term care (OR.05, 95% CI.02;.13), home (OR.26, 95% CI.15;.46), or transferred to another specialty in the hospital (OR.49, 95% CI.29;.84) compared to inpatient rehabilitation. Conclusions: Clinical and organizational factors can operate as potential barriers to timely discharge after hip fracture surgery. Further research is needed to understand how to overcome these barriers and implement strategies to improve best practice for post-surgery hip fracture care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geriatric emergency management (GEM) nursing has emerged as a critical response to the increasing number of emergency department (ED) visits by older people, particularly in North America and specifically in Canada. This demographic often presents with complex medical conditions and atypical disease manifestations. The GEM programme, implemented in Ontario, Canada, aims to provide targeted assessment and establish community connections for frail older individuals, helping prevent their decline and loss of independence. There is a significant demand for specialised wound care services in EDs and frontline ED staff have a limited capacity to provide these. Advanced wound management was integrated into the GEM nursing scope of practice in an initiative. Patients who received wound care from GEM nurses and clinical nurse specialists had positive outcomes; those treated by GEM nurses had shorter wait times. Although the wound care role requires additional training and adds to the GEM nurse workload, the advantages appear substantial. Merging geriatric-focused care with specialist wound management may significantly benefit the care and satisfaction of older people attending the ED, as well as improve patient flow in the ED. This initiative requires further consideration by healthcare leaders and policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methods: Due to demographic change, the number of polytraumatized geriatric patients (> 64 years) is expected to further increase in the coming years. In addition to the particularities of the accident and the associated injury patterns, prolonged inpatient stays are regularly observed in this group. The aim of the evaluation is to identify further factors that cause prolonged inpatient stays. A study of the data from the TraumaRegister DGU® from 2016–2020 was performed. Inclusion criteria were an age of over 64 years, intensive care treatment in the GAS-region, and an Injury Severity Score (ISS) of at least 16 points. All patients who were above the 80th percentile for the average length of stay or average intensive care stay of the study population were defined as so-called long-stay patients. This resulted in a prolonged inpatient stay of > 25 days and an intensive care stay of > 13 days. Among other, the influence of the cause of the accident, injury patterns according to body regions, the occurrence of complications, and the influence of numerous clinical parameters were examined. Results: A total of 23,026 patients with a mean age of 76.6 years and a mean ISS of 24 points were included. Mean ICU length of stay was 11 ± 12.9 days (regular length of stay: 3.9 ± 3.1d vs. prolonged length of stay: 12.8 ± 5.7d) and mean inpatient stay was 22.5 ± 18.9 days (regular length of stay: 20.7 ± 15d vs. 35.7 ± 22.3d). A total of n = 6,447 patients met the criteria for a prolonged length of stay. Among these, patients had one more diagnosis on average (4.6 vs. 5.8 diagnoses) and had a higher ISS (21.8 ± 6 pts. vs. 26.9 ± 9.5 pts.) Independent risk factors for prolonged length of stay were intubation duration greater than 6 days (30-fold increased risk), occurrence of sepsis (4x), attempted suicide (3x), presence of extremity injury (2.3x), occurrence of a thromboembolic event (2.7x), and administration of red blood cell concentrates in the resuscitation room (1.9x). Conclusions: The present analysis identified numerous independent risk factors for significantly prolonged hospitalization of the geriatric polytraumatized patient, which should be given increased attention during treatment. In particular, the need for a smooth transition to psychiatric follow-up treatment or patient-adapted rehabilitative care for geriatric patients with prolonged immobility after extremity injuries is emphasized by these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Longer length of hospital stay (LOS) negatively affects the organizational efficiency of public health systems and both clinical and functional aspects of older patients. Data on the effects of transitional care programs based on multicomponent interventions to reduce LOS of older patients are scarce and controversial. Aims: The PRO‐HOME study aimed to assess the efficacy in reducing LOS of a transitional care program involving a multicomponent intervention inside a technologically monitored in‐hospital discharge facility. Methods: This is a Randomized Clinical Trial on 60 patients (≥65 years), deemed stable and dischargeable from the Acute Geriatrics Unit, equally assigned to the Control Group (CG) or Intervention Group (IG). The latter underwent a multicomponent intervention including lifestyle educational program, cognitive and physical training. At baseline, multidimensional frailty according to the Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI), and Health‐Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) were assessed in both groups, along with physical capacities for the IG. Enrolled subjects were evaluated after 6 months of follow‐up to assess multidimensional frailty, HRQOL, and re‐hospitalization, institutionalization, and death rates. Results: The IG showed a significant 2‐day reduction in LOS (median days IG = 2 (2–3) vs. CG = 4 (3–6); p < 0.001) and an improvement in multidimensional frailty at 6 months compared to CG (median score IG = 0.25(0.25–0.36) vs. CG = 0.38(0.31–0.45); p = 0.040). No differences were found between the two groups in HRQOL, and re‐hospitalization, institutionalization, and death rates. Discussion: Multidimensional frailty is a reversible condition that can be improved by reduced LOS. Conclusions: The PRO‐HOME transitional care program reduces LOS and multidimensional frailty in hospitalized older patients. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov n. NCT06227923 (retrospectively registered on 29/01/2024). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Octogenarian and nonagenarian subjects with incidentally detected uncomplicated or symptomatic small gall stones may be treated without adverse outcomes of septicaemia and perforation with oral ursodeoxycholic avoiding surgery. Ninety-six subjects—64 men, 32 women, age > 65, with symptoms of acute or chronic cholecystitis having small gallstones < 15 mm or biliary sludge, high surgical risk of American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) 3–4—were given 12–15 mg/kg/day ursodeoxycholic acid for 12–18 months. Clinical monitoring with liver function testing and ultrasonographic evaluation at 3 monthly interval and magnetic cholangiopancreatography per 6 months were done. Outcomes were evaluated in this cross sectional study. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) values decreased significantly. Clinical, ultrasonographic and magnetic cholangiopancreatography evaluation at regular intervals showed improvement in all subjects which was not statistically significant. Fifty percent of gallstones smaller than 5–10 mm, 70% of stones smaller than 5 mm and bile sludge were successfully dissolved in all subjects. The success rate in patients with stones larger than 10 mm or multiple stones was low (8–10%). There were no severe side effects except mild diarrhoea, and 4% of patients underwent surgery and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography during the period of this study. Ursodeoxycholic acid medical treatment may be an alternative to cholecystectomy in octogenarian and nonagenarian subjects with incidentally detected uncomplicated or symptomatic small gallstones or those who refuse surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elderly individuals are more likely to suffer from both short and long-term consequences of COVID19, including exacerbation of existing illnesses, psychological issues, and increased risk of death. This study aimed to understand the medical, perceived psychological, and social health problems faced by the elderly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This hospital-based study included 225 elderly patients (aged >60 years) with chronic health conditions. Hypertension (70.2%) and diabetes mellitus (64.0%) were the most common morbidities among the study participants. At least 34.7% of the participants had one or more symptoms suggestive of psychological problems due to COVID-19 pandemic. Among the participants, 56.9% had difficulty with routine activities, 10.2% had trouble accessing medications and 8% faced issues in receiving routine medical care. There is a need to protect the interests of the elderly and suggest potential preventive measures and solutions for their medical, social and psychological problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Japan faces a public health challenge of dementia, further complicated by the increasing complications from diabetes within its rapidly aging population. This study assesses the impact of diabetes on mortality and hospitalization among individuals aged ≥75 years with new dementia diagnoses. Methods: We analyzed administrative claims data in Japan from 73 324 individuals aged ≥75 years with dementia, of whom 17% had comorbid diabetes. Dementia and diabetes were identified from the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes. We used Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, Cox proportional hazards analysis, and population attributable fractions (PAFs) to evaluate the impact on mortality and hospitalization after dementia diagnosis. Results: One‐year mortality and 1‐year hospitalization probabilities in individuals with dementia and diabetes (10.3% and 31.7%, respectively) were higher than those without diabetes (8.3% and 25.4%, respectively). The adjusted hazard ratios for individuals with diabetes, as compared to those without, were 1.126 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.040–1.220) for mortality and 1.191 (95% CI, 1.140–1.245) for hospitalization. The PAFs from the comorbidity of dementia and diabetes were 2.2% for mortality and 3.1% for hospitalization. Subgroup analysis showed that the PAFs were highest in men aged 75–79 years and women aged 80–84 years for mortality and in individuals aged 75–79 for hospitalization. Conclusion: During the early postdiagnosis period, comorbid diabetes increases mortality and hospitalization risks in older adults with dementia. The variation in disease burden across age groups underscores the need for age‐specific health care strategies to manage comorbid diabetes in individuals with dementia. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 773–781. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Central nervous system (CNS) medications are linked to higher morbidity and mortality in older adults. Hospitalization allows for deprescribing opportunities. This qualitative study investigates clinician and patient perspectives on CNS medication deprescribing during hospitalization using a behavioral change framework, aiming to inform interventions and identify recommendations to enhance hospital deprescribing processes. Methods: This qualitative study focused on hospitalists, primary care providers, pharmacists, and patients aged ≥60 years hospitalized on a general medicine service and prescribed ≥1 CNS medications. Using semi‐structured interviews and focus groups, we aimed to evaluate patient medication knowledge, prior deprescribing experiences, and decision‐making preferences, as well as provider processes and tools for medication evaluation and deprescribing. Rapid qualitative analysis applying the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behavior (COM‐B) framework revealed themes influencing deprescribing behavior in patients and providers. Results: A total of 52 participants (20 patients and 32 providers) identified facilitators and barriers across deprescribing steps and generated recommended strategies to address them. Clinicians and patients highlighted the opportunity for CNS medication deprescribing during hospitalizations, facilitated by multidisciplinary teams enhancing clinicians' capability to make medication changes. Both groups also stressed the importance of intensive patient engagement, education, and monitoring during hospitalizations, acknowledging challenges in timing and extent of deprescribing, with some patients preferring decisions deferred to outpatient clinicians. Hospitalist and pharmacist recommendations centered on early pharmacist involvement for medication reconciliation, expanding pharmacy consultation and clinician education on deprescribing, whereas patients recommended enhancing shared decision‐making through patient education on medication adverse effects, tapering plans, and alternatives. Hospitalists and PCPs also emphasized standardized discharge instructions and transitional care calls to improve medication review and feedback during care transitions. Conclusions: Clinicians and patients highlighted the potential advantages of hospital interventions for CNS medication deprescribing, emphasizing the necessity of addressing communication, education, and coordination challenges between inpatient and outpatient settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Older adults presenting with trauma have worse outcomes than younger adults. Starting in 2016, we provided geriatrics consultation (GC) to older adults admitted to the trauma service. We aimed to analyze the impact of GC on patient outcomes. Methods: We performed a retrospective pre–post study and year‐matched cohort study. We identified patients from the trauma registry at our level 1 trauma center. In the pre–post study, we compared patients who received GC (2016–2022) with controls (2011–2015). In the cohort study (2016–2022), we compared patients who received GC with controls. We matched for age, race, sex, and injury severity score (ISS) in both studies, as well as admission year in the cohort study. Outcome variables included mortality (in‐hospital, 30‐day, 90‐day), length of stay (LOS), discharge disposition, and hospital readmission rates (30‐day, 90‐day). Results: We analyzed 1968 patients in the pre–post study and 2544 patients in the cohort study. Patients were similar in age, race, and sex. GC patients had a slightly higher ISS score and a higher rate of ICU stay. Delirium occurrence was lower among GC patients. GC patients had lower in‐hospital mortality compared to controls (pre–post OR 0.27, p < 0.001; cohort OR 0.31, p < 0.001) and increased LOS (6 days vs 4 days, p < 0.001; both studies). GC patients in the cohort study also had lower 30‐ and 90‐day mortality (OR 0.52 and 0.65, p < 0.01) and were less likely to return home (OR 0.81, p < 0.01); similar trends, though not statistically significant, were noted in the pre–post study. Lower readmission rates (statistically non‐significant) were noted in the GC group across both studies. Conclusions: GC in older adults with trauma has proven benefit with reduced mortality and a trend toward lower readmission rates but was associated with increased LOS and higher rates of discharge to skilled facility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Older hospitalised patients have low levels of physical activity and multiple impairing factors. Aims: To systematically evaluate the perceived barriers to physical activity among older patients during hospitalisation, and provide reference for future intervention programs. Design: Following ENTREQ, do a systematic evaluation and synthesis of qualitative investigations. Methods: An exhaustive exploration was conducted across the CNKI, Wanfang Database, VIP Database, China Biomedical Literature Database, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science from their inception until August, 2023 to identify qualitative research on obstacles to physical activity among older hospital patients. The quality of the literature was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute's critical appraisal tool for qualitative research. Meta‐synthesis method was used to integrate the results. Results: In total, 8 literatures were included, 43 themes were extracted, and analogous research results were amalgamated to generate 10 categories and 3 syntheses: individual level, interpersonal influencing factors and hospital environment and resources level. Conclusion: Older inpatients are faced with multiple barriers to physical activity. Medical staff should pay attention to changes in physical activity during hospitalisation, identify barriers to physical activity in older inpatients and provide references for promoting physical activity programs for the older. No Patient or Public Contribution: This study is a meta‐synthesis and does not require relevant contributions from patients or the public. What is already known: Older patients are at low physical activity levels during hospitalisation.Older inpatients are faced with multiple barriers to physical activity. What this paper adds: Factors of physical activity impairment in hospitalised older patients should be considered in the context of health status, psychological factors, motivation and social support.Disease‐induced psychological fallout has a greater impact on physical activity in the older. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Inpatient falls among older adults are a relentless problem, and extant inpatient fall prevention research and interventions lack the older adults' perspectives and experiences of their own fall risk in the hospital. Theory‐guided research is essential in nursing, and the purpose of this paper was to describe the process of developing a theoretical framework for a phenomenological nursing study exploring older adults' lived experiences of being at risk for falling in the hospital. Method: Based on philosophical nursing underpinnings, the Health Belief Model (HBM) was selected as the theoretical model. The limitations of the model led to expansion of the model with established concepts associated with accidental falls among older adults. Results: The HBM was selected as the guiding model due to its ability to capture a broad range of perceptions of a health threat. The HBM was expanded with the concepts of embarrassment, independence, fear of falling, dignity and positivity effect. The addition of these concepts made the theoretical framework more applicable to age‐related developmental behaviours of older adult and more applicable to nursing research. Conclusion: The Expanded HBM theoretical framework may guide future nursing research to develop fall prevention interventions to decrease fall rates among hospitalized older adults. Patient or Public Contribution: No Patient or Public Contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir-ritonavir are orally administered pharmacotherapies for mild to moderate COVID-19. However, the effectiveness of these drugs among very old (≥80 years), hospitalised patients remains unclear, limiting the risk–benefit assessment of these antivirals in this specific group. This study investigates the effectiveness of these antivirals in reducing mortality among this group of hospitalised patients with COVID-19. Methods Using a territory-wide public healthcare database in Hong Kong, a target trial emulation study was conducted with data from 13 642 eligible participants for the molnupiravir trial and 9553 for the nirmatrelvir-ritonavir trial. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Immortal time and confounding bias was minimised using cloning-censoring-weighting approach. Mortality odds ratios were estimated by pooled logistic regression after adjusting confounding biases by stabilised inverse probability weights. Results Both molnupiravir (HR: 0.895, 95% CI: 0.826–0.970) and nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (HR: 0.804, 95% CI: 0.678–0.955) demonstrated moderate mortality risk reduction among oldest-old hospitalised patients. No significant interaction was observed between oral antiviral treatment and vaccination status. The 28-day risk of mortality was lower in initiators than non-initiators for both molnupiravir (risk difference: −1.09%, 95% CI: −2.29, 0.11) and nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (risk difference: −1.71%, 95% CI: −3.30, −0.16) trials. The effectiveness of these medications was observed regardless of the patients' prior vaccination status. Conclusions Molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir-ritonavir are moderately effective in reducing mortality risk among hospitalised oldest-old patients with COVID-19, regardless of their vaccination status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasingly being diagnosed in older adults. Our objective is to assess the advantages and potential drawbacks of different glucose-lowering medications in this specific population. Methods A network meta-analysis was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials that examined patient-centered outcomes in adults aged ≥65 years with T2DM. We searched PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Embase up to September 23, 2023. Quality of eligible studies were assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool. Results A total of 22 trials that involved 41 654 participants were included, incorporating sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, metformin, sulfonylureas (SU) and acarbose. Our findings reveal that GLP-1RAs reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (risk ratio [RR], 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71 to 0.97) and body weight (mean difference [MD], −3.87 kg; 95% CI, −5.54 to −2.21). SGLT2 inhibitors prevent hospitalization for heart failure (RR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.57 to 0.77), renal composite outcome (RR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.89), and reduce body weights (MD, −1.85 kg; 95% CI, −2.42 to −1.27). SU treatment increases the risk of any hypoglycaemia (RR, 4.19; 95% CI, 3.52 to 4.99) and severe hypoglycaemia (RR, 7.06; 95% CI, 3.03 to 16.43). GLP-1RAs, SGLT2 inhibitors, metformin, SU and DPP-4 inhibitors are effective in reducing glycaemic parameters. Notably, the number of treatments needed decreases in most cases as age increases. Conclusions Novel glucose-lowering medications with benefits that outweigh risks should be prioritized for older patients with diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To identify the impact of psychosocial factors on quality of life (QoL) of older adults hospitalized and isolated after contracting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Method: Data were collected between April 30 and June 18, 2022, from 117 discharged older adults who were in isolation for COVID-19 treatment in a tertiary hospital in South Korea. Results: Of participants, 33.3% were at high risk for posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), and 21.4% of participants were identified as having severe depressive symptoms. Participants' QoL negatively correlated with PTSS, depressive symptoms, and fear of social stigma. Depressive symptoms were the primary psychosocial factor identified as significantly affecting QoL (β = −0.682, p < 0.001), and the explanatory power of the regression model was 41.2%. Conclusion: To enhance QoL of older adults who have experienced hospitalization and isolation due to COVID-19, identifying pertinent psychosocial factors, especially depressive symptoms, is necessary. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 50(8), 29–36.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study explored the meaning and essence of life experiences among community-dwelling frail older adults with diabetes. Methods: This study used Giorgi's phenomenological methods to analyze in-depth interviews with 16 people who were diagnosed with diabetes and scored 3~5 on the Korean version of the fatigue, resistance, ambulation, illnesses, and loss of weight (FRAIL) Scale. Participants were recruited from a public health and a senior welfare center in Jeollabuk-do province of South Korea. Results: The data analysis revealed four essential themes and 12 subthemes derived from the interview data. These themes provided valuable insights into the experiences of frail older people with diabetes and shed light on their perspectives and challenges. The four essential themes were as follows: A feeble body falling into a bottomless pit, a narrowed range of activity, enduring heavy emotional burden, and the prospect of being supported for life. Conclusion: This study revealed that community-dwelling frail older individuals with diabetes experience physical, psychological, and social frailty, exacerbating the need for aggressive diabetes management. These findings underscore the importance of providing holistic care to support this population in managing both diabetes and frailty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) exhibit varying survival outcomes due to the unique challenges in managing AD patients. Stratifying patient mortality risk and understanding the criticality of nursing care are important to improve the clinical outcomes of AD patients. This study aimed to leverage machine learning (ML) and electronic health records (EHRs) only consisting of demographics, disease history, and routine lab tests, with a focus on nursing care, to facilitate the optimization of nursing practices for AD patients. We utilized Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III, an open-source EHR dataset, and AD patients were identified based on the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes. From a cohort of 453 patients, a total of 60 features, encompassing demographics, laboratory tests, disease history, and number of nursing events, were extracted. ML models, including XGBoost, random forest, logistic regression, and multi-layer perceptron, were trained to predict the 30-day mortality risk. In addition, the influence of nursing care was analyzed in terms of feature importance using values calculated from both the inherent XGBoost module and the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) library. XGBoost emerged as the lead model with a high accuracy of 0.730, area under the curve (AUC) of 0.750, sensitivity of 0.688, and specificity of 0.740. Feature importance analyses using inherent XGBoost module or SHAP both indicated the number of nursing care within 14 days post-admission as an important denominator for 30-day mortality risk. When nursing care events were excluded as a feature, stratifying patient mortality risk was also possible but the model's AUC of receiver operating characteristic curve was reduced to 0.68. Nursing care plays a pivotal role in the survival outcomes of AD patients in ICUs. ML models can be effectively employed to predict mortality risks and underscore the importance of specific features, including nursing care, in patient outcomes. Early identification of high-risk AD patients can aid in prioritizing intensive nursing care, potentially improving survival rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preventable hospital admissions in elderly home care residents are a major socioeconomic burden, whilst early detection of deterioration may improve outcomes. Our goal was to develop and validate a machine learning-based algorithm to predict hospitalization risk among home care users. Our primary outcome was hospitalization. An existing risk score (1-5) was assessed for its discriminatory capacity over time. We subsequently developed a new machine learning model using carer concerns, service user demographics, and other home care data between January and July 2021. We randomly selected 150 service user records for validation, which were evaluated by both the model and 10 clinicians (9 doctors and 1 nurse) to compare prediction time and accuracy to human experts. Comparison between model and human was via area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). A score of 5 conferred an 8x higher likelihood of hospitalization in the subsequent 7 days (15.4% vs 1.8%, p <.05), compared to a score of 1. The new model and risk score increased performance, detecting 182 hospitalizations/month (3.7x chance). The AUC for the model was significantly higher than for clinicians (0.87 vs 0.41-0.57, respectively; p <.05). The model took <1 minute, while clinicians typically took over 40 minutes. A risk prediction model using carer concerns and other home care data features detects 3.7x more hospitalizations than chance. The model is faster and more accurate than human clinicians, enabling low-cost scale-up. This study supports linking the model to a triage and intervention service to reduce preventable hospitalizations in the home care sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Japan, little is known about the approaches to medical care for older patients with multimorbidity used by physicians either at patients' homes or in hospitals. A questionnaire survey was conducted to understand the current approaches to older patients with multimorbidity. The questionnaire was sent to 3300 people, including 1650 geriatric specialists and 1650 primary care specialists, were enrolled. A four-point Likert-type scale was used to score the following items: diseases that cause difficulties in treatment (diseases), patient backgrounds that cause difficulties in treatment (backgrounds), important clinical factors, and important clinical strategies. We used the Tukey–Kramer test to examine the differences between scores across 3 groups: physicians providing only home care (the "home" group), physicians providing only inpatient care (the "hospital" group), and physicians providing both home care and inpatient care (the "home and hospital" group). Out of 836 valid responses, those from 587 physicians were included in the analysis. The overall score for diseases was significantly higher in the "hospital" group than in either the "home" or "home and hospital" groups. The overall score for important clinical strategies was significantly higher in the "home and hospital" group than in the "hospital" group. In conclusion, physicians' approaches to treating older people with multimorbidity may vary by practice setting, and particularly whether they provide care only to patients at home or in hospital or to both. To improve the quality of transition of care between hospital and home, a support system that considers differences in physician practice should be developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim(s): To evaluate the literature to inform and propose a conceptual definition for dementia friendly in the context of hospitalization. Methods: The Walker & Avant method for concept analysis was utilized for this review. Data Sources (Include Search Dates): Initial search conducted June 2022. Repeated search conducted in February 2023. Databases for the literature search include Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and AGELINE. Results: Five attributes of the concept of dementia friendly in the context of hospitalization were identified including: staff knowledge/education, environmental modification, person‐centred care, nursing care delivery and inclusion of family caregivers. Based on these attributes a conceptual definition is proposed. Conclusion: A clarified definition for dementia friendly in the context of hospitalization will aid in understanding the concept, provide guidance for hospitals seeking to implement dementia‐friendly interventions and benefit researchers aiming to study the impact of such programs. Reporting Method: n/a. Patient or Public Contribution: No Patient or Public Contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This article presents the findings of a qualitative study focusing on the experiences of people aged over 70 years in the interpersonal nurse–patient care relationship in hospital settings during and after the COVID‐19 pandemic. The aim was to analyse different aspects of this relationship, including nurses' behaviour and caring attitudes, the person‐centred model of care, patients' involvement in their own care and communication in the hospital context. Design: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted on the basis of an interpretative framework. Methods: Six focus groups were conducted. A total of 34 participants were purposively recruited from three nursing homes in Spain, Italy and Portugal. Specific inclusion criteria were used to select participants. Results: Five main categories were identified. Analysis revealed the importance of empathy and sensitivity in caring relationships, as well as the need for personalized and patient‐centred care. The importance of effective communication and recognition of ageist behaviour by professionals was highlighted. In addition, independent of the pandemic, situational factors in the hospital environment were identified that influence the interpersonal care relationship. Conclusions: The study highlights the need to promote a person‐centred model of care that takes into account the specific preferences and needs of older people. This is achieved by identifying elements of the interpersonal nurse–patient relationship. In addition to highlighting the disparity of opinion regarding an active or passive role in self‐care and decision making, the importance of addressing ageism and improving communication is emphasized. What problem did the study address?: The importance of the patient–nurse relationship in hospital care has been highlighted in previous studies.Critical elements of the patient care experience have been identified as empathy and effective communication.Ageism in healthcare has been recognized as a potential barrier to patient‐centred care. What were the key findings?: The main findings highlight the importance of empathy and personalized care, emphasize the importance of effective communication and address ageist behaviours in the nurse–patient relationship. Where and who will the research impact?: By highlighting the need for person‐centred care and improved communication strategies, particularly in the context of caring for older patients during and after the COVID‐19 pandemic, this research will have an impact on healthcare professionals, policy makers and carers. Reporting Method: The COREQ guideline was used. Patient or public contribution: This study adopted a collaborative approach to ensure that patient perspectives were integrated into the research process. We organized regular focus groups. Patients were actively involved in shaping the research questions, refining the study design and interpreting the emerging findings. Their valuable input helped us to understand the nuances of their experience and to prioritize the aspects that were critical to their well‐being. In addition, their insights guided the development of practical recommendations aimed at improving the interpersonal care relationship between nurses and patients in hospital settings, ensuring that their voices were heard and reflected in the proposed interventions. This patient‐centred approach fostered a sense of empowerment among the participants. It reinforced the notion that their experiences and opinions are integral to shaping healthcare practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To determine the effects of nurse‐coordinated interventions in improving readmissions, cumulative hospital stay, mortality, functional ability and quality of life for frail older adults discharged from hospital. Design: Systematic review with meta‐analysis. Methods: A systematic search using key search terms of 'frailty', 'geriatric', 'hospital' and 'nurse'. Covidence was used to screen individual studies. Studies were included that addressed frail older adults, incorporated a significant nursing role in the intervention and were implemented during hospital admission with a focus on transition from hospital to home. Data Sources: This review searched MEDLINE (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCO), PubMed (EBSCO), Scopus, Embase (Ovid) and Cochrane library for studies published between 2000 and September 2023. Results: Of 7945 abstracts screened, a total 16 randomised controlled trials were identified. The 16 randomised controlled trials had a total of 8795 participants, included in analysis. Due to the heterogeneity of the outcome measures used meta‐analysis could only be completed on readmission (n = 13) and mortality (n = 9). All other remaining outcome measures were reported through narrative synthesis. A total of 59 different outcome measure assessments and tools were used between studies. Meta‐analysis found statistically significant intervention effect at 1‐month readmission only. No other statistically significant effects were found on any other time point or outcome. Conclusion: Nurse‐coordinated interventions have a significant effect on 1‐month readmissions for frail older adults discharged from hospital. The positive effect of interventions on other health outcomes within studies were mixed and indistinct, this is attributed to the large heterogeneity between studies and outcome measures. Relevance to Clinical Practice: This review should inform policy around transitional care recommendations at local, national and international levels. Nurses, who constitute half of the global health workforce, are ideally situated to provide transitional care interventions. Nurse‐coordinated models of care, which identify patient needs and facilitate the continuation of care into the community improve patient outcomes. Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care: Review findings will be useful for key stakeholders, clinicians and researchers to learn more about the essential elements of nurse‐coordinated transitional care interventions that are best targeted to meet the needs of frail older adults. Impact: When frail older adults experience transitions in care, for example discharging from hospital to home, there is an increased risk of adverse events, such as institutionalisation, hospitalisation, disability and death. Nurse‐coordinated transitional care models have shown to be a potential solution to support adults with specific chronic diseases, but there is more to be known about the effectiveness of interventions in frail older adults. This review demonstrated the positive impact of nurse‐coordinated interventions in improving readmissions for up to 1 month post‐discharge, helping to inform future transitional care interventions to better support the needs of frail older adults. Reporting Method: This systematic review was reported in accordance with the Referred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Patient or Public Contribution: No Patient or Public Contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective: To examine factors associated with hospitalization among Mexican Americans aged 75 years and older with diabetes (with and without complications) and without diabetes over 12 years of follow up. Methods: Participants (N = 1454) were from the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly (2004/2005-2016) residing in Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas. Measures included socio-demographics, medical conditions, falls, depressive symptoms, cognitive function, disability, physician visits, and hospitalizations. Participants were categorized as no diabetes (N = 1028), diabetes without complications (N = 180), and diabetes with complications (N = 246). Results: Participants with diabetes and complications had greater odds ratio (1.56, 95% Confidence Interval = 1.23-1.98) over time of being admitted to the hospital in the prior year versus those without diabetes. Participants with diabetes had greater odds of hospitalization if they had heart failure, falls, amputation, and insulin treatment. Conclusions: In Mexican American older adults, diabetes and diabetes-related complications increased the risk of hospitalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) have an immediate significant impact on morbidity and mortality among older adults. However, the impact following the infectious period of LRTI remains understudied. We aimed to assess the short- to long-term impact of LRTIs on hospitalization, mortality, and healthcare utilization in older adults. Methods: Data from the Swedish National Study of Aging and Care in Kungsholmen (SNAC-K) was analyzed, with data from 2001 to 2019 for mortality and 2001–2016 for healthcare utilization. LRTI-exposed participants were identified and matched with LRTI-nonexposed based on sociodemographics, lifestyle factors, and functional and clinical characteristics. Statistical models evaluated post-LRTI hospitalization risk, days of inpatient hospital admissions, healthcare visits, and mortality. Results: 567 LRTIs-exposed participants during the study period and were matched with 1.701 unexposed individuals. LRTI-exposed individuals exhibited increased risk of hospitalization at 1-year (HR 2.14, CI 1.74, 2.63), 3-years (HR 1.74, CI 1.46, 2.07), and 5-years (HR 1.59, CI 1.33, 1.89). They also experienced longer post-LRTI hospital stays (IRR 1.40, CI 1.18, 1.66), more healthcare visits (IRR 1.47, CI 1.26, 1.71), specialist-care visits (IRR 1.46, CI 1.24, 1.73), and hospital admissions (IRR 1.57, CI 1.34, 1.83) compared to nonexposed participants over 16-years of potential follow-up. Additionally, the 19-year risk of mortality was higher among LRTI-exposed participants (HR 1.45, CI 1.24, 1.70). Men exhibited stronger associations with these risks compared to women. Conclusions: LRTIs pose both short- and long-term risks for older adults, including increased risks of mortality, hospitalization, and healthcare visits that transpire beyond the acute infection period, although these effects diminish over time. Men exhibit higher risks across these outcomes compared to women. Given the potential preventability of LRTIs, further public health measures to mitigate infection risk are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]