Factors associated with time to identify physical problems of nursing home residents with dementia. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen 2010 Jun;25(4):317-23
Date
03/20/2010Pubmed ID
20237337Pubmed Central ID
PMC2884077DOI
10.1177/1533317510363471Scopus ID
2-s2.0-77953631532 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 24 CitationsAbstract
This study describes new problems emerging over 6 weeks for nursing home residents with advanced dementia and factors associated with time to identify the problems. The sample of 65 developed 149 new acute problems or exacerbations of existing conditions over the 6 weeks of data collection. The majority of these problems involved uncontrolled pain, new infections, and severe psychoses. Nurse assessment skill was associated with a shorter time to identify the new problem and more time spent on the problem. A higher ratio of new to existing interventions was also associated with a shorter time to identify the problem. Other patient characteristics associated with time to identify problems included nonspecific vocalizations, physical signs, cognitive status, and length of stay. While future research is warranted, findings from this study highlight the frequency of problems requiring treatment and suggest that improved assessment of residents may decrease the time to identify new problems.
Author List
Kovach CR, Logan BR, Simpson MR, Reynolds SAuthor
Brent R. Logan PhD Director, Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Acute DiseaseAged
Aged, 80 and over
Comorbidity
Dementia
Female
Homes for the Aged
Humans
Male
Midwestern United States
Nursing Assessment
Nursing Homes
Nursing Records
Patient Participation
Surveys and Questionnaires
