Articles tagged with Nursing Homes
A new study by Brown University researchers reveals that Medicare spends significantly more on hospitalizations before patients enter a nursing home, with an average cost of $29,743 per patient. Once the patient becomes a permanent resident, costs drop to under $19,000. The study suggests that reducing hospitalizations before nursing h...
A statewide survey of Missouri nursing homes found nearly 90% of residents and family members satisfied with care facilities. The survey highlighted improvements made by administrators to deliver homelike care, leading to excellent ratings for quality of life, care, and service.
Researchers found that many dementia patients' delusions have logical explanations and can be treated through behavioral therapy. The study suggests a better understanding of delusions can lead to more humane and compassionate treatment, considering the patient's context and circumstances.
A recent study found that nursing home RNs and LPNs differ in their approach to medication reconciliation, leading to opportunities for improved collaboration. Enhancing training and assigning complementary roles may improve patient care and satisfaction.
A study found that nursing home residents with dementia who use average doses of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are three times more likely to have an injurious fall than those who don't. The risk increases as people take higher doses of SSRIs, and combining them with hypnotic or sedative drugs further elevates the risk.
A new pilot study in Rhode Island aims to improve depression in nursing home rehabilitation patients through telemedicine. Geriatric mental health specialists will work with patients at the Evergreen House Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center, testing the program's effectiveness.
A new study published in Age and Ageing found that timely acute care immediately after a stroke can significantly reduce the level of disability in survivors, as well as the need for long-term care. The study estimated the total cost of stroke and TIA in Ireland to be €500-€816 million in 2007.
Researchers found that a year-long Maks therapy, combining motor stimulation, cognitive exercises, and daily living activities, halted the progression of dementia in patients. This therapy showed similar results to cholinesterase inhibitors, but with twice as much effect on daily living tasks.
The study found that the nation's largest for-profit chains operate with significantly lower staffing levels than non-profit and government-owned nursing homes, leading to poorer quality of care. The top 10 chains have a strategy of keeping labor costs low to increase profits, resulting in more deficiencies and serious deficiencies.
A new study finds that government scoring systems for nursing homes do not accurately evaluate the quality of care for residents with behavioral and psychological symptoms related to dementia. The study suggests that facilities with high numbers of cognitively impaired residents receive lower scores despite providing better care.
A new study from NYUCN found that nursing error disclosure is a challenging process for nurses in nursing home settings. The study highlights the need for improved communication processes and policies to enhance patient safety culture.
Researchers found that antibiotics are not the sole risk factor for community-acquired Clostridium difficile infection and that nursing home residence is a strong predictor of disease severity. The study identified increasing age, higher Charlson Comorbidity index, and lack of antibiotic exposure as predictors of hospitalization.
The New York University College of Nursing is conducting a two-year study on the impact of internationally educated nurses on patient safety in nursing homes. The research aims to identify differences and similarities in care processes and outcomes among RNs and LPNs/VNs.
A study by Brown University found that nursing home flu shot vaccination rates are lower for black patients compared to white patients. Despite efforts to improve vaccination rates over time, the disparity persists within individual facilities, with black patients refusing shots at a higher rate than whites.
A new study reveals that nursing homes often prioritize treating residents with private insurance over those with Medicaid, resulting in higher hospitalization rates and unnecessary care. Medicaid residents are 27% more likely to be hospitalized than private-pay residents, highlighting the financial incentives driving these decisions.
A national study found that Medicare patients discharged to skilled nursing facilities are at high risk of needing long-term care. The study suggests that programs aimed at helping older patients recover at home could improve their health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.
A new study found that nearly 1 in 5 dementia patients experience burdensome transitions in the last 90 days of life, including repeated hospitalizations and relocations, which can be unnecessary and stressful for families.
Leadership plays a critical role in improving healthcare quality, particularly in nursing homes where the aging population is increasing. Effective communication and teamwork strategies are essential for implementing new technologies and enhancing patient safety practices.
The study finds wide variation in state performance on long-term services and supports, with top-performing states still facing challenges. States can improve by adopting policies shown to provide better outcomes, and all states need to vastly improve areas such as home care and support for family caregivers.
People with Parkinson's disease who see a neurologist are more likely to live longer, less likely to be placed in a nursing home, and have fewer hip fractures. The study also found disparities in access to care based on gender and ethnicity.
A new study found that nursing home residents have a fivefold increased risk of falling within two days of a new prescription for or an increased dose of non-SSRI antidepressants. The study suggests that staff should closely monitor these residents following a prescription change to prevent potential falls.
A study found higher pressure ulcer rates among black high-risk nursing home residents compared to white residents, with disparities largely related to facility demographics and staffing. The researchers suggest policy implications for targeted interventions to eliminate racial disparities in nursing home care.
A new study by Brown University finds that minorities are gaining access to nursing home care, but often due to lack of alternative options. The research suggests a racial disparity in elder care, with whites more likely to use desirable alternatives.
Researchers found that job satisfaction and emotional well-being are better predictors of turnover in long-term care facilities. Certified nursing assistants were more likely to switch jobs due to lower emotional distress and greater job satisfaction after switching, even if it meant taking a pay cut.
A study published in the American Journal of Infection Control found that 15% of US nursing homes receive deficiency citations for infection control. The research team discovered a strong correlation between low staffing levels and the receipt of an infection control deficiency citation.
Researcher Theresa Pape is developing therapies to jump-start the lives of patients with traumatic brain injury, often falling through the cracks of the medical system. Her innovative clinical trials test the effectiveness of familiar voice intervention and transcranial magnetic stimulation in awakening patients.
A Canadian study of over 10,900 nursing home patients found that conventional antipsychotics, antidepressants, and benzodiazepines carried higher risks of death, femur fractures, and heart failure compared to atypical antipsychotics. The findings suggest a need for caution when prescribing these medications in this population.
A recent study found that China's nursing home industry is experiencing rapid growth, driven by the country's aging population. However, the industry lacks adequate government oversight and regulation, leading to concerns about substandard care and poor staffing levels.
Research at University of Missouri finds Aging in Place model provides better care for seniors, reducing relocation and hospitalization costs; improves mental and physical health outcomes, enabling most older adults to remain independent
The study found that nursing home closures were concentrated in minority and poor communities between 1999 and 2008, with a net loss of over 5% of beds. This clustering is particularly concerning given the lack of alternative long-term care services in these areas.
A new study by Brown University researchers finds that nursing home closures are concentrated in poor, urban areas, leaving millions without choices for long-term care. The closures have been attributed to changing Medicare payment policies and the increasing bifurcation of society into rich and poor.
A recent study published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing found that nearly a third of tablet fragments deviated from recommended dosages by 15% or more after being split. The practice is considered highly inaccurate and potentially dangerous, especially for tablets with narrow margins between therapeutic and toxic doses.
A study of 10 nursing homes in California found that 31% of residents carried MRSA, with rates varying widely between facilities. The findings suggest that some nursing homes are effective in containing the bacteria, but more research is needed to understand their strategies.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have found a series of indicators associated with elderly depression beyond mood changes, including verbal aggression, urinary incontinence and weight loss. These findings suggest that timely diagnosis and treatment can improve quality of life for nursing home residents.
Researchers at U-M will explore how genetic variations of C. difficile, gut microbiota, and immune response influence the disease. The project aims to develop better prevention measures, treatments, and ways to prevent recurrence.
The study found that Medicare-certified hospice stays in nursing homes have doubled in the last 10 years, with average treatment times increasing from 46 to 93 days. The researchers attribute this growth to increased Medicare services and reimbursement policies that incentivize longer stays.
A three-month videoconferencing program with family members significantly enriched the lives of nursing home residents, who felt more connected and less anxious. The participants enjoyed seeing relatives, being part of family life, and feeling more informed about their loved ones' lives.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins found that a simple frailty test can accurately predict surgical outcomes in older patients. The test assesses physical reserve and ability to withstand stress, identifying those at risk for complications and prolonged hospital stays.
A study of 121 older adults in Los Angeles ALFs found that 65% had clinically significant sleeping problems, associated with lower quality of life and increased depression. Poor sleep was also linked to a worsening of health-related quality of life and more symptoms of depression over time.
In a study of 158 Georgia centenarians, researchers found that past satisfaction with life is the key to happiness in our oldest years. For the depression study, they found that diminished cognitive problem-solving ability and living in a nursing home were significant predictors of depressive symptoms in octogenarians and centenarians.
A seven-year study found that Medicare reimbursement led to higher nursing home admissions and shorter hospital stays compared to VA facilities. However, death rates were similar for veterans with hip fractures treated under either system.
Advanced dementia patients are more likely to receive feeding tubes at larger, for-profit hospitals. Research found a higher rate of feeding tube insertion in these hospitals compared to others.
A recent study found that nursing home residents with the highest antipsychotic prescribing rates are more likely to receive the medication, with 16.4% of those without a clinical indication for therapy receiving it. The study suggests that organizational culture may play a role in encouraging high prescribing rates.
A new study by Brown University finds that Hispanic elderly are more likely than whites to live in poor-quality nursing homes, facing structural problems, staffing issues, and financial trouble. The research highlights the need for better quality care and policy changes to address these disparities.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that dialysis for nursing home seniors does not improve functional capacity and may even worsen quality of life. Researchers call for individualized approaches to treatment, considering patients' goals and prognostic information.
A recent study found that healthcare staff and relatives struggle to accurately diagnose pain levels in nursing home residents, particularly those with cognitive impairments. The researchers recommend increasing education on non-drug pain management strategies, such as massage, mobility, and music therapy, to improve care.
A major statistical review of 82 studies found that nonprofit nursing homes deliver higher quality care than for-profit homes, with benefits including more staff, lower rates of bedsores and restraints. The findings have significant patient-care implications and raise concerns about the role of for-profit firms in U.S. health reform.
A study on quality improvement (QI) research found that most studies had methodological limitations, including inadequate study duration, selection bias, and poor implementation. The review highlights the need for longer-term results and improved intervention design to accurately assess QI effectiveness.
A telemedicine project at the University of Rochester Medical Center has improved quality of life and motor function for Parkinson's patients in nursing homes. The system, utilizing a laptop, software, and web camera, enables specialists to conduct virtual visits with trained nurses, reducing travel burden and costs.
A recent study by Queen's University Belfast and Antrim Area Hospital found that one in four nursing home residents are carrying the bacteria MRSA. The study highlights the need for improved infection control strategies in nursing homes to combat this major problem.
A pioneering study found that over half of certified nursing assistants (CNAs) incurred work-related injuries, while nearly half received means-tested public assistance. The survey also revealed a significant disparity in wages, with experienced CNAs earning only $2 more per hour than new hires.
A University of Missouri researcher found that a quality care improvement program saved nursing homes $6 million over three years. The program improved care quality for residents, reducing medical problems and costs for facilities.
A study by Brown University researchers found that nursing homes serving primarily Hispanic residents provided poorer quality care, including higher rates of bed sores. The study looked at data from California, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, and Colorado and found disparities in care related to racial segregation.
The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends taking aspirin in at-risk patients to prevent heart attacks and strokes. However, the quality of care in nursing homes remains suboptimal, and creating a specialized physician training program may help address this issue.
A Kansas State University study found that educating nursing home staff about residents' sexual needs can lead to a significant shift in attitudes, allowing for more privacy and intimacy. The researchers also highlighted concerns around HIV transmission, family dynamics, and the impact of Alzheimer's on consent.
A new study published in Health Affairs found that private equity investments in nursing homes have not significantly worsened quality of care. In fact, some aspects of care improved after the transactions, including aide staffing and resident outcomes.
The growing demand for long-term care services is straining the workforce, with workers lacking support in pay and work relationships. The studies found that recruitment and retention are industry-wide problems, but also discovered that older people can play a role in addressing these issues.
A study found that less than a quarter of nursing homes have a specific pandemic plan, while over half do not. The researchers emphasize the need for communication with health departments and hospitals, as well as staff training and planning for staff shortages.
Researchers found that short-term use of antipsychotics in older adults with dementia increases the risk of hospitalization or death. Atypical and conventional antipsychotics both carry a significant risk of serious adverse events, with the former being three times more likely to cause harm than the latter.
The 2004 California Long-Term Care Reimbursement Act increased MediCal costs by nearly 9% but failed to improve quality or access to care. Nursing home staffing levels remained lower than recommended numbers, and staff turnover increased significantly.