Sample size calculation and optimal design for regression-based norming of tests and questionnaires.

To prevent mistakes in psychological assessment, the precision of test norms is important. This can be achieved by drawing a large normative sample and using regression-based norming. Based on that norming method, a procedure for sample size planning to make inference on Z-scores and percentile rank scores is proposed. Sampling variance formulas for these norm statistics are derived and used to obtain the optimal design, that is, the optimal predictor distribution, for the normative sample, thereby maximizing precision of estimation. This is done under five regression models with a quantitative and a categorical predictor, differing in whether they allow for interaction and nonlinearity. Efficient robust designs are given in case of uncertainty about the regression model. Furthermore, formulas are provided to compute the normative sample size such that individuals' positions relative to the derived norms can be assessed with prespecified power and precision. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Imputation of Missing Covariates in Randomized Controlled Trials with Continuous Outcomes: Simple, Unbiased and Efficient Methods.

The literature on dealing with missing covariates in nonrandomized studies advocates the use of sophisticated methods like multiple imputation (MI) and maximum likelihood (ML)-based approaches over simple methods. However, these methods are not necessarily optimal in terms of bias and efficiency of treatment effect estimation in randomized studies, where the covariate of interest (treatment group) is independent of all baseline (pre-randomization) covariates due to randomization. This has been shown in the literature, but only for missingness on a single baseline covariate. Here, we extend the situation to multiple baseline covariates with missingness and evaluate the performance of MI and ML compared with simple alternative methods under various missingness scenarios in RCTs with a quantitative outcome. We first derive asymptotic relative efficiencies of the simple methods under the missing completely at random (MCAR) scenario and then perform a simulation study for non-MCAR scenarios. Finally, a trial on chronic low back pain is used to illustrate the implementation of the methods. The results show that all simple methods give unbiased treatment effect estimation but with increased mean squared residual. It also turns out that mean imputation and the missing-indicator method are most efficient under all covariate missingness scenarios and perform at least as well as MI and LM in each scenario.

Effectiveness of an integrated multidisciplinary geriatric rehabilitation programme for older persons with stroke: a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Almost half of the stroke patients admitted to geriatric rehabilitation has persisting problems after discharge. Currently, there is no evidence based geriatric rehabilitation programme available for older stroke patients, combining inpatient rehabilitation with adequate ambulatory aftercare in the community. Therefore, we developed an integrated multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme that includes aftercare for older persons with stroke. We evaluated the effectiveness of this newly developed rehabilitation programme in comparison to usual care. METHODS: A multicentre randomised controlled trial was conducted in eight geriatric rehabilitation stroke units and their collaborating partners in primary care. The study population involved stroke patients and their informal caregivers who were aged 65 or over, living in the community before admission to geriatric rehabilitation, and expected to be able to return home after discharge. The programme consisted of three modules: inpatient neurorehabilitation, home-based self-management training, and stroke education. For patients, daily activity (FAI) was assessed as primary outcome and functional dependence (Katz-15), perceived quality of life (SSQoL) and social participation (IPA) as secondary outcomes. Additionally, among informal caregivers perceived care burden (self-rated burden VAS), objective care burden (Erasmus iBMG), and quality of life (CarerQol), were assessed as secondary outcomes. RESULTS: In total 190 patients and 172 informal caregivers were included. Mean age of the patients in the intervention group was 78.9 years (SD = 7.0) and in the usual care group 79.0 years (SD = 6.5). Significant favourable effects for the programme were observed for the subscale autonomy outdoors of the IPA (- 2.15, P = .047, and for the informal caregivers perceived care burden (1.23, P = .048. For the primary outcome daily activity and the other secondary outcomes, no significant effects were observed. CONCLUSION: The integrated multidisciplinary programme had no effect on daily activity of older stroke patients. However, patients participating in the programme had a higher level of perceived autonomy of outdoor activities and their informal caregivers perceived a lower care burden. The programme might be promising in providing adequate (after) care, although adaptation of the programme is recommended to increase its feasibility and improve its effects. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN62286281 . Registered 19-3-2010.

Imputation of missing covariate in randomized controlled trials with a continuous outcome: Scoping review and new results.

In this article, we first review the literature on dealing with missing values on a covariate in randomized studies and summarize what has been done and what is lacking to date. We then investigate the situation with a continuous outcome and a missing binary covariate in more details through simulations, comparing the performance of multiple imputation (MI) with various simple alternative methods. This is finally extended to the case of time-to-event outcome. The simulations consider five different missingness scenarios: missing completely at random (MCAR), at random (MAR) with missingness depending only on the treatment, and missing not at random (MNAR) with missingness depending on the covariate itself (MNAR1), missingness depending on both the treatment and covariate (MNAR2), and missingness depending on the treatment, covariate and their interaction (MNAR3). Here, we distinguish two different cases: (1) when the covariate is measured before randomization (best practice), where only MCAR and MNAR1 are plausible, and (2) when it is measured after randomization but before treatment (which sometimes occurs in nonpharmaceutical research), where the other three missingness mechanisms can also occur. The proposed methods are compared based on the treatment effect estimate and its standard error. The simulation results suggest that the patterns of results are very similar for all missingness scenarios in case (1) and also in case (2) except for MNAR3. Furthermore, in each scenario for continuous outcome, there is at least one simple method that performs at least as well as MI, while for time-to-event outcome MI is best.

Factors associated with successful home discharge after inpatient rehabilitation in frail older stroke patients.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a highly prevalent disease among older people and can have a major impact on daily functioning and quality of life. When community-dwelling older people are hospitalized due to stroke, discharge to an intermediate care facility for geriatric rehabilitation is indicated when return to the previous living situation is expected but not yet possible. However, a substantial proportion is still unable to return home after discharge and has to be admitted to a residential care setting. This study aims to identify which factors are associated with home discharge after inpatient rehabilitation among frail and multimorbid older stroke patients. METHODS: This study is a longitudinal cohort study among 92 community-dwelling stroke patients aged 65 years or over. All patients were admitted to one of eight participating intermediate care facilities for geriatric rehabilitation, under the expectation to return home after rehabilitation. We examined whether 16 potentially relevant factors (age; sex; household situation before admission; stroke history; cardiovascular disorders; diabetes mellitus; multimorbidity; cognitive disability; neglect; apraxia; dysphagia; urinary and bowel incontinence; emotional problems; sitting balance; daily activity level; and independence in activities of daily living) measured at admission were associated with discharge to the former living situation. Logistic regression analysis was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 79.0 years (SD 6.4) and 51.1% was female. A total of 71 patients (77.1%) were discharged to the former living situation within 6 months after the start of geriatric rehabilitation. Of the 16 factors analysed, only a higher level of independence in activities of daily living at admission was significantly associated with home discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that the vast majority of previously identified factors predicting home discharge among stroke patients, could not predict home discharge among a group of frail and multimorbid older persons admitted to geriatric rehabilitation. Only a higher level of independence in activities of daily living at admission was significantly related to home discharge. Additional insight in other factors that might predict home discharge after geriatric rehabilitation among this specific group of frail older stroke patients, is needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN ISRCTN62286281. Registered 19-3-2010.

Professional and family caregivers' attitudes towards involuntary treatment in community-dwelling people with dementia.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to gain insight into professional and family caregivers' attitudes towards involuntary treatment in community-dwelling people with dementia (PwD). BACKGROUND: The number of PwD with complex care needs living at home is increasing rapidly. In some situations, caregivers provide care against the will of PwD, referred to as involuntary treatment, which includes non-consensual care, psychotropic medication and physical restraints. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: A total of 228 professional (nursing staff, general practitioners (GPs) and other healthcare professionals such as physical therapists and psychologists) and 77 family caregivers of PwD completed the Maastricht Attitude Questionnaire-Home Care. This questionnaire measures attitudes towards involuntary treatment and perceived restrictiveness of and experienced discomfort in using involuntary treatment. Data were collected in the Netherlands between June and November 2016. RESULTS: Family caregivers and GPs had more positive attitudes towards involuntary treatment than nursing staff and other healthcare professionals, indicating that they are more accepting of involuntary treatment. A more positive attitude was associated with higher perceived caregiver burden and being a family caregiver. Family caregivers and GPs found the use of involuntary treatment less restrictive and indicated feeling more comfortable when using these measures. CONCLUSION: It is important to account for the differences in attitudes and foster dialogue among professional and family caregivers to find common ground about alternatives to involuntary treatment. These results will inform the development of an intervention that aims to prevent involuntary treatment in home care.

Relative efficiencies of two-stage sampling schemes for mean estimation in multilevel populations when cluster size is informative.

In multilevel populations, there are two types of population means of an outcome variable ie, the average of all individual outcomes ignoring cluster membership and the average of cluster-specific means. To estimate the first mean, individuals can be sampled directly with simple random sampling or with two-stage sampling (TSS), that is, sampling clusters first, and then individuals within the sampled clusters. When cluster size varies in the population, three TSS schemes can be considered, ie, sampling clusters with probability proportional to cluster size and then sampling the same number of individuals per cluster; sampling clusters with equal probability and then sampling the same percentage of individuals per cluster; and sampling clusters with equal probability and then sampling the same number of individuals per cluster. Unbiased estimation of the average of all individual outcomes is discussed under each sampling scheme assuming cluster size to be informative. Furthermore, the three TSS schemes are compared in terms of efficiency with each other and with simple random sampling under the constraint of a fixed total sample size. The relative efficiency of the sampling schemes is shown to vary across different cluster size distributions. However, sampling clusters with probability proportional to size is the most efficient TSS scheme for many cluster size distributions. Model-based and design-based inference are compared and are shown to give similar results. The results are applied to the distribution of high school size in Italy and the distribution of patient list size for general practices in England.

The effectiveness of an integrated care pathway in geriatric rehabilitation among older patients with complex health problems and their informal caregivers: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: To improve continuity and coordination of care in geriatric rehabilitation, an integrated care pathway was developed and implemented in The Netherlands. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of this pathway on patients and informal caregivers. METHODS: Two cohorts of patients and their informal caregivers were prospectively recruited before implementation of the pathway (2011-2012) and after implementation of the pathway (2013-2014). Primary outcome measures were dependence in activities of daily living in patients (KATZ-15) and self-rated burden among informal caregivers (SRB-VAS). Secondary outcome measures were the frequency of performing extended daily activities, social participation, psychological well-being, quality of life and discharge location (patients) and quality of life and objective care burden (informal caregivers). Outcomes were measured at baseline, after three and after nine months. RESULTS: No effect was shown on the KATZ-15 after three and nine months. However, a larger percentage of patients were discharged home in the care pathway cohort (83% vs 58.1% after three months and 88.6% vs 67.4% after nine months; p = 0.004). Furthermore, after three months, patients from the care pathway cohort performed more extended daily activities (p = 0.014) and informal caregivers experienced a lower self-rated burden (p = 0.05). After nine months, these effects disappeared. No differences were found for the other outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the positive effects of the integrated care pathway, we are inclined to recommend implementing the care pathway in regular care. To have longer lasting effects among patients and informal caregivers, we suggest actively disseminating information about the pathway to primary care providers who are currently still unaware of its content. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN90000867 (date of registration: 07-04-2016).

The use of involuntary treatment among older adults with cognitive impairment receiving nursing care at home: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Respect for inherent dignity and individual autonomy is a basic principle in health care. However, several studies indicate that care-dependent older adults with a cognitive impairment, receiving nursing care at home, are at risk of care without their consent, referred to as 'involuntary treatment'. This includes the application of physical restraints (e.g. measures to prevent leaving bed or chair), psychotropic drugs (e.g. antidepressants, sedatives) and non-consensual care (e.g. forced hygiene, hiding medication). Research about involuntary treatment is scarce and only recently first studies have been conducted. OBJECTIVE: To investigate 1) the prevalence of involuntary treatment, 2) associated factors and 3) who requests and applies their use among older adults with cognitive impairment receiving nursing care at home. DESIGN: Cross- sectional study. SETTING: Homes of older adults receiving nursing care from district nurses in the eastern part of Belgium. PARTICIPANTS: Data were collected from 1194 randomly selected older adults with cognitive impairments receiving nursing care at home (mean age 83; 67% female). METHOD: District nurses completed an online questionnaire for each selected older adult in their caseload. Involuntary treatment was measured using a questionnaire identifying use of physical restraints, psychotropic medication and non-consensual care. In addition who requests involuntary treatment and who applies it was examined. Older adults sociodemographic characteristics, diagnosis of dementia, activities of daily living (ADL), cognitive status and informal caregiver burden were assessed. RESULTS: Involuntary treatment was used in 52% (95%; CI 49-55) of the total sample. Non-consensual care was most often used (73%; 95% CI 70-77), followed by psychotropic drugs (43%; 95% CI 39-47) and physical restraints (38%; 95% CI 35-42). The use of involuntary treatment was associated with dependency for activities of daily life (OR 1.50; 95% CI 1.33-1.69), cognitive impairment (1.39; 95% CI 1.25-1.55), informal caregiver burden (OR 1.05; 95% CI 1.01-1.10) and aging (OR 0.97; 95% CI 0.95-0.99). Informal caregivers (71%), followed by general practitioners (47%) most frequently requested the use of involuntary treatment, and nurses (81%) mostly applied it. CONCLUSION: In Belgium, involuntary treatment is often used in older adults with a cognitive impairment receiving nursing care at home. The implication of this study for clinical practice is that it confirms the need to develop an approach to prevent and reduce it. Further research is needed to plan and develop such an approach, in order to prevent and reduce the use of involuntary treatment.

Guidelines for multiple imputations in repeated measurements with time-dependent covariates: a case study.

OBJECTIVES: We provide guidelines for handling the most common missing data problems in repeated measurements in observational studies and deal with practicalities in producing imputations when there are many partly missing time-varying variables and repeated measurements. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: The Maastricht Study on long-term dementia care environments was used as a case study. The data contain 84 momentary assessments for each of 115 participants. A continuous outcome and several time-varying covariates were involved containing missing observations varying from 4% to 25% per time point. A multiple imputation procedure is advocated with restrictions imposed on the relation within and between partially missing variables over time. RESULTS: Multiple imputation is a better approach to deal with missing observations in both outcome and independent variables. Furthermore, using the statistical package R-MICE, it is possible to deal with the limitations of current statistical software in imputation of missing observations in more complex data. CONCLUSION: In observational studies, the direct likelihood approach (i.e., the standard longitudinal data methods) is sufficient to obtain valid inferences in the presence of missing data only in the outcome. In contrast, multiple imputation is required when dealing with partly missing time-varying covariates and repeated measurements.

Promoting Functional Activity Among Nursing Home Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study on Barriers Experienced by Nursing Staff.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain insight into (a) the prevalence of nursing staff-experienced barriers regarding the promotion of functional activity among nursing home residents, and (b) the association between these barriers and nursing staff-perceived promotion of functional activity. METHOD: Barriers experienced by 368 nurses from 41 nursing homes in the Netherlands were measured with the MAastrIcht Nurses Activity INventory (MAINtAIN)-barriers; perceived promotion of functional activities was measured with the MAINtAIN-behaviors. Descriptive statistics and hierarchical linear regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Most often experienced barriers were staffing levels, capabilities of residents, and availability of resources. Barriers that were most strongly associated with the promotion of functional activity were communication within the team, (a lack of) referral to responsibilities, and care routines. DISCUSSION: Barriers that are most often experienced among nursing staff are not necessarily the barriers that are most strongly associated with nursing staff-perceived promotion of functional activity.

Troponin I and T in relation to cardiac injury detected with electrocardiography in a population-based cohort - The Maastricht Study.

Interest in high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I(hs-cTnI) and T(hs-cTnT) has expanded from acute cardiac care to cardiovascular disease(CVD) risk stratification. Whether hs-cTnI and hs-cTnT are interchangeable in the ambulant setting is largely unexplored. Cardiac injury is a mechanism that may underlie the associations between troponin levels and mortality in the general population. In the population-based Maastricht Study, we assessed the correlation and concordance between hs-cTnI and hs-cTnT. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to assess the association of hs-cTnI and hs-cTnT with electrocardiographic (ECG) changes indicative of cardiac abnormalities. In 3016 eligible individuals(mean age,60 ± 8years;50.6%,men) we found a modest correlation between hs-cTnI and hs-cTnT(r = 0.585). After multiple adjustment, the association with ECG changes indicative of cardiac abnormalities was similar for both hs-cTn assays(OR,hs-cTnI:1.72,95%CI:1.40-2.10;OR,hs-cTnT:1.60,95%CI:1.22-2.11). The concordance of dichotomized hs-cTnI and hs-cTnT was κ = 0.397(≥sex-specific 75th percentile). Isolated high levels of hs-cTnI were associated with ECG changes indicative of cardiac abnormalities(OR:1.93,95%CI:1.01-3.68), whereas isolated high levels of hs-cTnT were not(OR:1.07,95%CI:0.49-2.31). In conclusion, there is a moderate correlation and limited concordance between hs-cTnI and hs-cTnT under non-acute conditions. These data suggest that associations of hs-cTnI and hs-cTnT with cardiac injury detected by ECG are driven by different mechanisms. This information may benefit future development of CVD risk stratification algorithms.

Quality of care and quality of life of people with dementia living at green care farms: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Many countries are introducing smaller, more home-like care facilities that represent a radically new approach to nursing home care for people with dementia. The green care farm is a new type of nursing home developed in the Netherlands. The goal of this study was to compare quality of care, quality of life and related outcomes in green care farms, regular small-scale living facilities and traditional nursing homes for people with dementia. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used. Three types of nursing homes were included: (1) green care farms; (2) regular small-scale living facilities; (3) traditional nursing homes. All participating nursing homes were non-profit, collectively funded nursing homes in the south of the Netherlands. One hundred and fifteen residents with a formal diagnosis of dementia were included in the study. Data on quality of care was gathered and consisted of outcome indicators (e.g. falling incidents, pressure ulcers), structure indicators (e.g. hours per resident per day), and process indicators (e.g. presence, accessibility and content of protocols on care delivery). Furthermore, questionnaires on cognition, dependence in activities of daily living, quality of life, social engagement, neuropsychiatric symptoms, agitation, and depression were used. RESULTS: Data showed that quality of care was comparable across settings. No large differences were found on clinical outcome measures, hours per resident per day, or process indicators. Higher quality of life scores were reported for residents of green care farms in comparison with residents of traditional nursing homes. They scored significantly higher on the Quality of Life - Alzheimer's disease Scale (p < 0.05, ES = 0.8) indicating a better quality of life. In addition, residents of green care farms scored higher on three quality of life domains of the Qualidem: positive affect, social relations and having something to do (p < 0.05, ES > 0.7). No differences with regular small-scale living facilities were found. CONCLUSIONS: Green care farms seem to be a valuable alternative to existing nursing homes. This is important as people with dementia are a heterogeneous group with varying needs. In order to provide tailored care there also is a need for a variety of living environments.

Correction: A Multifactorial Weight Reduction Programme for Children with Overweight and Asthma: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157158.].

Pressure Ulcer Prevalence and Care in Indonesian Hospitals: A Multicenter, Cross-sectional Evaluation Using an Extended Donabedian Model.

Although the number of studies on pressure ulcer (PU) occurrence continues to grow, research regarding the quality of PU care and its effect on outcomes is limited. Using an extended Donabedian model, a 1-day, multicenter, cross-sectional evaluation of the quality of PU care was conducted in a convenience sample of Indonesian hospitals among patients ≥18 years of age in the medical, surgical, and intensive care units. Structure (ie, hospital attributes), process (recommended PU preventive measures), and outcome indicators (nosocomial PU prevalence excluding nonblanchable erythema), along with patient characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity, admission days, diseases [per ICD-10], recent surgery, PU categorization [4 categories according to National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel-European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel guidelines], PU history, care dependency, and Braden score) were examined. Patient data were collected by 2 nurses -1 from the patient's unit and 1 from another unit - using the Landelijke Prevalentiemeting Zorgproblemen-International questionnaire, a paper-and-pencil survey translated into Indonesian. Heads of wards and nursing units completed the questionnaires at institutional and ward levels, respectively. The data were analyzed using descriptive and bivariate analyses, and multilevel logistic regression modeling was applied according to the generalized estimating equation approach. Among the 4 participating hospitals, 66 care units, 36 pairs of nurses, and 1132 adult patients (mean age 48.7 ± 17.4 years, 40.9% women) were involved. Ninety-one (91) patients developed 1 or more PUs; the nosocomial PU prevalence (excluding nonblanchable erythema, category I) was 3.6%. The most frequently used PU preventive measures were patient education (329, 29.1%), repositioning (269, 23.8%), and skin moisturizing (266, 23.5%). The factors most associated with nosocomial PU rate excluding category I were the inclusion of PU care in patient care files (P = .001), repositioning (P = .002), skin moisturizing (P = .009), age (P = .013), admission days (P = .001), care dependency scores (P = .047), immobility (P = .001), sensory perception limitation (P = .001), moist skin (P = .032, OR 13.74), and friction and shear problem (P = .001). The prevalence of nosocomial PUs in this study was comparable to previous research in the Netherlands and rather low, even though limited structural indicators and suboptimal preventive measures were noted. Also, outdated preventive measures such as massage, donuts, and water-filled gloves were still used. The quality of PU care in these hospitals may be improved by addressing the absence of structural factors, including protocols/guidelines. Future research is needed for guideline implementation programs in Indonesian hospitals.

Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate and Albuminuria Are Associated with Biomarkers of Cardiac Injury in a Population-Based Cohort Study: The Maastricht Study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with an increased cardiovascular disease mortality risk. It is, however, less clear at what point in the course from normal kidney function to CKD the association with cardiovascular disease appears. Studying the associations of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albuminuria with biomarkers of (subclinical) cardiac injury in a population without substantial CKD may clarify this issue. METHODS: We examined the cross-sectional associations of eGFR and urinary albumin excretion (UAE) with high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) T, hs-cTnI, and N-terminal probrain natriuretic-peptide (NT-proBNP) in 3103 individuals from a population-based diabetes-enriched cohort study. RESULTS: After adjustment for potential confounders, eGFR and UAE were associated with these biomarkers of cardiac injury, even at levels that do not fulfill the CKD criteria. For example, eGFR 60-<90 mL · min-1 ·(1.73 m2)-1 [vs ≥90 mL · min-1 · (1.73 m2)-1] was associated with a [ratio (95% CI)] 1.21 (1.17-1.26), 1.14 (1.07-1.20), and 1.19 (1.12-1.27) times higher hs-cTnT, hs-cTnI, and NT-proBNP, respectively. The association of eGFR with hs-cTnT was statistically significantly stronger than that with hs-cTnI. In addition, UAE 15-<30 mg/24 h (vs <15 mg/24 h) was associated with a 1.04 (0.98-1.10), 1.08 (1.00-1.18), and 1.07 (0.96-1.18) times higher hs-cTnT, hs-cTnI, and NT-proBNP, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: eGFR and albuminuria were already associated with biomarkers of (subclinical) cardiac injury at levels that do not fulfill the CKD criteria. Although reduced renal elimination may partly underlie the associations of eGFR, these findings support the concept that eGFR and albuminuria are, over their entire range, associated with cardiac injury.

Relationship between the presence of baccalaureate-educated RNs and quality of care: a cross-sectional study in Dutch long-term care facilities.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence suggests that an increase in baccalaureate-educated registered nurses (BRNs) leads to better quality of care in hospitals. For geriatric long-term care facilities such as nursing homes, this relationship is less clear. Most studies assessing the relationship between nurse staffing and quality of care in long-term care facilities are US-based, and only a few have focused on the unique contribution of registered nurses. In this study, we focus on BRNs, as they are expected to serve as role models and change agents, while little is known about their unique contribution to quality of care in long-term care facilities. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 282 wards and 6,145 residents from 95 Dutch long-term care facilities. The relationship between the presence of BRNs in wards and quality of care was assessed, controlling for background characteristics, i.e. ward size, and residents' age, gender, length of stay, comorbidities, and care dependency status. Multilevel logistic regression analyses, using a generalized estimating equation approach, were performed. RESULTS: 57% of the wards employed BRNs. In these wards, the BRNs delivered on average 4.8 min of care per resident per day. Among residents living in somatic wards that employed BRNs, the probability of experiencing a fall (odds ratio 1.44; 95% CI 1.06-1.96) and receiving antipsychotic drugs (odds ratio 2.15; 95% CI 1.66-2.78) was higher, whereas the probability of having an indwelling urinary catheter was lower (odds ratio 0.70; 95% CI 0.53-0.91). Among residents living in psychogeriatric wards that employed BRNs, the probability of experiencing a medication incident was lower (odds ratio 0.68; 95% CI 0.49-0.95). For residents from both ward types, the probability of suffering from nosocomial pressure ulcers did not significantly differ for residents in wards employing BRNs. CONCLUSIONS: In wards that employed BRNs, their mean amount of time spent per resident was low, while quality of care on most wards was acceptable. No consistent evidence was found for a relationship between the presence of BRNs in wards and quality of care outcomes, controlling for background characteristics. Future studies should consider the mediating and moderating role of staffing-related work processes and ward environment characteristics on quality of care.

Green Care Farms as Innovative Nursing Homes, Promoting Activities and Social Interaction for People With Dementia.

OBJECTIVES: Innovative care environments are developed for people with dementia to encourage person-centered care. This study aims to investigate whether residents of green care farms that provide 24-hour nursing care participate more in (physical) activities and social interaction compared with residents of other nursing homes. DESIGN: Longitudinal observation study. SETTING: Nursing homes in the Netherlands (green care farms, traditional nursing homes, and regular small-scale living facilities). PARTICIPANTS: A total of 115 nursing home residents at baseline, 100 at follow-up. MEASUREMENTS: Ecological momentary assessments (n = 16,860) were conducted using the Maastricht Electronic Daily Life Observation Tool. Residents living at green care farms were compared with residents living in traditional nursing homes and regular small-scale living facilities. The following aspects were collected for this study: the activity performed by the participant or occurring in his or her vicinity, the engagement in the activity, the level of physical activity during the activity, the physical environment (location where the activity occurred), and the level of social interaction during the activity. RESULTS: In total, 9660 baseline observations and 7200 follow-up observations were conducted. Analyses showed that residents of green care farms significantly more often participated in domestic activities (P = .004, SE = 1.6) and outdoor/nature-related activities (P = .003, SE = 0.9), and significantly less often engaged in passive/purposeless activities (P < .001, SE = 1.7) compared with residents of traditional nursing homes. Furthermore, residents of green care farms had significantly more active engagement (P = .014, SE = 0.9), more social interaction (P = .006, SE = 1.1), and came outside significantly more (P = .010, SE = 1.1) than residents of traditional nursing homes. Residents of green care farms were significantly more physically active (P = .013, SE = 0.8) than were residents of regular small-scale living facilities. No other significant differences were found. CONCLUSION: Green care farms can be a valuable alternative to traditional nursing homes. They provide an attractive, homelike environment and activities that positively influence engagement and social interaction. Research is needed to study how successful elements of green care farms can be implemented in existing nursing homes.

Work environment characteristics associated with quality of care in Dutch nursing homes: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: A lack of relationship between direct care staffing levels and quality of care, as found in prior studies, underscores the importance of considering the quality of the work environment instead of only considering staff ratios. Only a few studies, however, have combined direct care staffing with work environment characteristics when assessing the relationship with quality of care in nursing homes. OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between direct care staffing levels, work environment characteristics and perceived quality of care in Dutch nursing homes. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, observational study in cooperation with the Dutch Prevalence Measurement of Care Problems. SETTINGS: Twenty-four somatic and 31 psychogeriatric wards from 21 nursing homes in the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-one ward managers and 274 staff members (registered nurses or certified nurse assistants) from the 55 participating wards. METHODS: Ward rosters were discussed with managers to obtain an insight into direct care staffing levels (i.e, total direct care staff hours per resident per day). Participating staff members completed a questionnaire on work environment characteristics (i.e., ward culture, team climate, communication and coordination, role model availability, and multidisciplinary collaboration) and they rated the quality of care in their ward. Data were analyzed using multilevel linear regression analyses (random intercept). Separate analyses were conducted for somatic and psychogeriatric wards. RESULTS: In general, staff members were satisfied with the quality of care in their wards. Staff members from psychogeriatric wards scored higher on the statement 'In the event that a family member had to be admitted to a nursing home now, I would recommend this ward'. A better team climate was related to better perceived quality of care in both ward types (p≤0.020). In somatic wards, there was a positive association between multidisciplinary collaboration and agreement by staff of ward recommendation for a family member (p=0.028). In psychogeriatric wards, a lower score on market culture (p=0.019), better communication/coordination (p=0.018) and a higher rating for multidisciplinary collaboration (p=0.003) were significantly associated with a higher grade for overall quality of care. Total direct care staffing, adhocracy culture, hierarchy culture, as well as role model availability were not significantly related to quality of care. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that team climate may be an important factor to consider when trying to improve quality of care. Generating more evidence on which work environment characteristics actually lead to better quality of care is needed.

Diurnal Rhythm of Cardiac Troponin: Consequences for the Diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Interpretation of serial high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) measurements for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) assumes random fluctuation of hs-cTn around an individual's homeostatic set point. The aim of this study was to challenge this diagnostic concept. METHODS: Study 1 examined the presence of a diurnal hs-cTn rhythm by hourly blood sampling, day and night, in 24 individuals without a recent history of AMI. Study 2 assessed morning vs evening diagnostic accuracy of hs-cTnT and hs-cTnI in a prospective multicenter diagnostic study of 2782 unselected patients, presenting to the emergency department with acute chest pain. RESULTS: In study 1, hs-cTnT, but not hs-cTnI, exhibited a diurnal rhythm, characterized by gradually decreasing concentrations throughout daytime, rising concentrations during nighttime, to peak concentrations in the morning (mean 16.2 ng/L at 8:30 AM and 12.1 ng/L at 7:30 PM). In study 2, the hs-cTnT rhythm was confirmed by higher hs-cTnT concentrations in early-morning presenters compared to evening presenters with an adjudicated diagnosis of noncardiac disease. The diagnostic accuracy [area under the receiver-operation characteristics curve (AUC)] of hs-cTnT at presentation, 1 h, and for the combination of absolute changes with presenting concentration, were very high and comparable among patients presenting early morning as compared to evening (all AUC >0.93). hs-cTnI exhibited no diurnal rhythm with no differences in AUC among early-morning and evening presenters. CONCLUSIONS: Rhythmic diurnal variation of hs-cTnT is a general phenomenon that is not seen with hs-cTnI. While the diurnal hs-cTnT rhythm does not seem to affect the diagnostic accuracy of hs-cTnT for AMI, it should be considered when using hs-cTnT for screening purposes. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: 1. Circadian Variation of Cardiac Troponin, NCT02091427, www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02091427. 2. Advantageous Predictors of Acute Coronary Syndrome Evaluation (APACE) Study, NCT00470587, www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00470587.