Articles tagged with Nursing Homes
A study by USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology found significant disparities between Yelp and Nursing Home Compare ratings for nursing homes in California. The research highlights the need for improved ratings systems to help consumers make informed decisions about nursing home care.
The OPTIMISTIC program reduced avoidable hospitalizations among long-stay nursing facility residents by 33%, eliminating nearly one in five hospitalizations. The initiative lowered Medicare expenditures by $1589 per resident, resulting in a total savings of over $13.5 million from 2014 to 2016.
The number of doctors specializing in nursing home care has risen by over a third between 2012 and 2015, according to a new study. This trend suggests the emergence of a significant new specialty in medical practice, but its impact on patient outcomes and continuity of care remains uncertain.
Researchers found RNs better equipped to identify medication discrepancies, prioritizing accuracy and safety over time constraints. LPNs often rely on rules, assuming knowledge of residents' complex conditions.
Researchers aim to integrate advance care planning into nursing home workflow to support decision-making for dementia patients and their families. The multistate project will evaluate the effectiveness of a pragmatic program that helps staff identify patient goals and values.
A study found that men aged 65+ who survived an ischemic stroke are 3x more likely to be placed in a nursing home within 5 years if they lack a caregiver. The lack of caregivers puts older adults at risk of losing independent living.
Many opioid dosage combinations have no prescribing restrictions under Medicare formulary, suggesting an opportunity to limit opioid prescribing. Restricting coverage for prescription drugs is one strategy to decrease opioid prescribing.
Researchers at Brown University plan to conduct a randomized trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a personalized music program in improving care and outcomes for nursing home residents with dementia. The new study aims to provide clearer evidence on the impact of MUSIC & MEMORY, which has shown promising results in previous studies.
Researchers found that 40% of nursing home patients had multiple multidrug-resistant organisms living on their bodies, increasing the risk of urinary tract infections. The study suggests a complex network of interactions among bacteria and antibiotics, highlighting the need for more targeted treatment approaches.
A new assessment predicts fracture risk for patients in long-term care, identifying key factors such as age, mobility, and cognitive impairment. The tool has the potential to standardize fracture prevention efforts and save lives among nursing home residents.
According to an 18-year analysis, 56% of individuals aged 57-61 are likely to spend time in a nursing home, with high out-of-pocket costs for some. Lifetime spending averages $7,300, but some face expenses over $47,000.
A new study by the RAND Corporation found that 56% of people aged 57-61 will stay in a nursing home at least one night during their lifetime, contradicting previous estimates of 35%. The study analyzed 18 years of data and found that most people can afford nursing home care, with costs averaging $7,300 over a lifetime.
Advanced practice nurses (APRNs) play a key role in improving nursing home care by reducing hospitalizations related to falls, dehydration, and other health issues. Leadership support is essential for APRNs to be successful in this role.
A recent study found that 44% of nursing home residents with dementia were taking PIMs at admission, and many stopped or started these medications during their stay. The researchers suggest a person-centered approach to discontinuing PIMs, especially for frail older adults.
A study found that apathy is present in half of nursing home patients and linked with an increased risk of dying over a 4-month period. Screening and treatment strategies for apathy are necessary to improve quality of life and advanced care planning.
A study by RTI International found that low Medicaid payment rates discourage residential care providers from serving Medicaid beneficiaries, limiting access to community-based care. This results in a reliance on nursing homes, which can be more expensive for taxpayers.
A high-dose influenza vaccine significantly reduced the risk of respiratory and all-cause hospitalization among Medicare residents at nursing homes, with a 12.7% relative reduction in respiratory illness hospitalizations and an 8.5% reduction in all-cause hospitalizations.
A large clinical trial found that the high-dose flu vaccine significantly reduced hospitalization rates among nursing home residents, with a relative risk of hospitalization being 12.7 percent lower for the high-dose group. The vaccine also appeared to help prevent hospitalization for other problems, including cardiovascular symptoms.
A new study found that offering the New York University Caregiver Intervention (NYUCI) program to eligible Minnesota Medicaid enrollees could save $40.4 million over 15 years, with increased net savings of $52.2 million via video teleconferencing.
A significant proportion of nursing home residents suffer from chronic pain during their final six months, according to a recent study. Researchers analyzed data from over 960 seniors and found that 60% reported consistent low or mild pain, while around 34% experienced moderate or severe pain, with little improvement as death approached.
A recent study reveals a 400% surge in premature and potentially preventable deaths of Australian nursing home residents over the past decade. Falls and choking were responsible for most unintentional deaths, with a smaller number attributed to clinical care complications or intentional acts such as suicide and assault.
A national patient safety effort led to a significant reduction in urinary tract infections related to catheters in nursing homes. The study shows that implementing a toolkit of training materials and coaching support can lead to improved catheter care and infection prevention.
The study found that personalized music playlists reduced the use of antipsychotic medications by 20.1% and antianxiety medications by 24.4%, while also reducing behavioral problems by 56.5%. These improvements were seen in nursing homes that implemented the MUSIC & MEMORY program, but not in similar homes that did not adopt the program.
The study found that advanced age, comorbid chronic diseases, and history of recurrent hospitalization are associated with increased risk of MDR-GNB colonization. The prevalence of MDR-GNB colonization among nursing home residents ranged from 11.2% to 59.1%
A new study led by Jennifer Tjia found that training nursing home staff to recognize unmet needs of cognitively impaired residents significantly reduced antipsychotic medication use. The OASIS program shifted care planning from focusing on limitations to meeting resident needs, resulting in a 7% drop in antipsychotic prescriptions.
A systematic review of 15 studies found that most vulnerable nursing home residents are at risk of becoming victims, while legal examinations are often infrequent due to administration complexities. The report also highlights the underreporting of sexual assaults in nursing homes, with only 1% of staff-to-resident incidents reported.
Most nursing home residents are inactive, with only one-fifth engaging in outings or excursions. Increasing resident engagement through daily activities is crucial for their thriving in care, according to a Swedish study.
A study found that patients with kidney failure were less likely to have advance directives than those with other serious illnesses, but those who did had better end-of-life care. The presence of treatment-limiting directives and surrogate decision makers reduced hospitalizations, intensive procedures, and inpatient deaths.
A national assessment by MU researchers found significant gaps in IT sophistication between rural and urban nursing homes. Urban facilities excel in laboratory capabilities for resident registration and medical tests, while rural ones struggle to compete for IT talent.
A systematic review of medication errors found that serious impacts were rare, occurring in only zero to one percent of medication errors. Good practice requires a team-based approach to prevent medication errors in nursing homes.
Researchers assess documentation of advance care planning preferences in Indiana nursing homes, finding that a majority of residents have orders for CPR. The study aims to identify ways to improve practice and ensure time is taken to discuss and record preferences, increasing the likelihood that treatment wishes will be honored.
Researchers found that post-acute care, specifically nursing home factors, had a significant impact on long-term recovery for hip fracture patients. Higher-level physician staffing and lower occupancy rates were associated with better outcomes.
A new study highlights the importance of advance care planning in nursing homes, where most residents prefer less aggressive treatment and comfort care over life-extending measures. The study found that formal conversations facilitated by specially trained nurses resulted in changes to care plans about two-thirds of the time.
A study found that cranberry capsules did not significantly reduce the presence of bacteriuria and pyuria, or the number of urinary tract infections, among older women living in nursing homes. The results contradict previous studies suggesting cranberry products may be effective in preventing UTIs.
A study by the Indiana University Center for Aging Research and Regenstrief Institute found that employing nurse practitioners significantly improves transfer process resulting in fewer errors and safer care. The OPTIMISTIC program led to a 21% decrease in hospitalizations.
The OPTIMISTIC study aims to improve care and communication within nursing facilities and between them and acute-care institutions. The program focuses on early detection and prevention of problems such as medication errors and delayed recognition of changes in medical status, resulting in reduced health decline and hospitalization.
A University of Missouri study finds that increased IT sophistication in nursing homes leads to improved health care quality measures. The research assessed national trends in IT adoption every year over a three-year period and found a positive impact on quality measures as technology improves resident care.
Castle is a professor at University of Pittsburgh, recognized for his work on nursing home staff turnover and long-term care staffing issues. He has received the prestigious award in acknowledgement of his outstanding career contributions to social research, policy, and practice.
A recent study published in JAMA found that the proportion of advanced dementia patients receiving feeding tubes decreased from 11.7% to 5.7% between 2000 and 2014. The decline was observed across both white and black patient groups, with significant racial disparities initially present.
A study published in JAMA found that the proportion of US nursing home residents with advanced dementia receiving feeding tubes decreased by approximately 50% between 2000 and 2014. Feeding tube use declined across racial groups, but remained higher among black residents.
Researchers at Binghamton University are developing a smartwatch application to enhance communication systems in nursing homes. The proposed design integrates existing safety systems, providing alerts to users. Studies show that using this system can reduce staff response time to alarms and improve patient safety.
Vincent Mor, PhD, of Brown University, received the 2016 Robert W. Kleemeier Award for his outstanding research on aging and care quality. He has conducted extensive work on hospice and palliative care, including a study on National Hospice Study's effect on patients' quality of life.
A UCLA-led study found that nearly half of California nursing home residents completed Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment forms in 2011. The study also identified areas where the use of these forms could be improved, including facilities with low completion rates and a lack of signatures on some forms.
A study found that caregiver assistance increased among home-dwelling older adults with functional disabilities, from 42% in 1998 to 50% in 2012. The greatest increase was among those with fewer impairments, suggesting a shift towards community-based care.
Researchers found that at least one in five elderly nursing home residents experienced resident-to-resident mistreatment, with verbal aggression being the most common form. The study's findings highlight a need for better understanding and prevention strategies for this type of abuse.
A survey of nearly 1,000 US nursing homes found little consistency in UTI prevention policies, with only a few effective strategies identified. Nursing homes with portable bladder ultrasound scanners and infection preventionists on staff had lower UTI rates, but many facilities lacked these policies.
A new study found that video consultation technology brings together nursing home staff and hospital-based clinical experts to manage behavioral challenges associated with dementia. The program, Project ECHO-AGE, resulted in significant reductions in the use of physical restraints and antipsychotic medication among patients.
A study examining obese older adults in nursing homes found that those with higher body mass indexes were more likely to be admitted to facilities with deficiencies in care. Nearly 22% of admitted residents were obese, with morbidly obese individuals facing even greater challenges.
Researchers found that hospice services don't lead to higher care costs for long-stay nursing home residents, despite concerns about cost shifting. Instead, avoidance of costly hospitalization and post-acute care offsets hospice costs.
A new study from Harvard Medical School found that corporate churning in nursing homes is linked to lower quality of care. The research, led by David Grabowski, measured the impact of ownership changes on nursing home quality and found that transactions were often associated with existing quality problems.
A mobility assessment tool may help predict early postoperative outcomes for older adults by identifying those at risk of complications. The study found that preoperative scores on the Mobility Assessment Tool: Short Form (MAT-sf) were predictive of early postoperative complications, longer hospital stays and discharges to nursing homes.
A new study from Indiana University reveals that nearly half of all long-stay nursing home residents are sent to the Emergency Department over a year, despite their cognitive status. The study's findings highlight the need for strategies to avoid unnecessary transfers and deliver patient-centered care in long-term care facilities.
The article examines the association between for-profit nursing home ownership and care quality, concluding that the precautionary principle should be applied. Observational studies show that publicly funded care in for-profit facilities is inferior to public or non-profit facilities.
The University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing is expanding its Missouri Quality Initiative for Nursing Homes, a program that reduces avoidable hospitalizations by 34.5% through increased payments to participating nursing homes. The expanded program aims to create a national model for senior care and improve patient outcomes.
A new app developed by UCI researchers enables patients to create personalized scores for nursing homes, leading to differences in choice and ranking compared to the government's five-star system. The study suggests that patients may benefit from a more tailored approach to choosing a nursing home.
A study found that few people are aware of the Nursing Home Compare website, which aims to help families find high-quality care facilities. The site's accuracy is also compromised by trust issues and limited information on costs and activities.
OPTIMISTIC, a four-year project, aims to improve the health and healthcare of long-term nursing home residents by enhancing clinical care and introducing new Medicare payments. The program has shown promising results in reducing unnecessary hospitalizations and improving symptoms in patients with chronic illnesses.
Hospice programs vary significantly in their visitation rates for Medicare patients nearing death, with black patients and those in nursing homes receiving fewer visits. Analysis of Medicare claims data reveals that hospices with smaller patient volumes and those based in nursing homes were less likely to provide visits.
The Missouri Quality Initiative for Nursing Homes aims to create a national model for senior care by having APRNs work full-time in each facility, reducing hospitalizations and expenditures. The program has achieved leading results, with strong patterns indicating intervention effects in reducing utilization and spending.
A Mayo Clinic study of 102 lung transplant patients found that those who were frail before surgery had lower survival rates at one and three years post-transplant. Frailty was associated with decreased survival and poorer outcomes.