Development of a Remote Health Monitoring System to Prevent Frailty in Elderly Home-Care Patients with COPD.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the general term used to describe respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis or emphysema of the lungs. COPD is known to cause the onset of frailty due to limitations of physical activity (PA) in daily life and undernutrition. Here, we report the development process of a remote health monitoring and support system employing a tablet computer (iPad), that was created to help prevent frailty in elderly home-care patients with COPD, and the results of its use by two elderly home-care COPD patients. There was a significant increase in PA duration in one participant after use of the system, compared to before use (15.2 min (8.9) vs. 24.2 min (7.4), p < 0.001). PA duration also increased in the other participant (39.7 (8.1) vs. 42.9 (12.9) min; 8.1%), although the difference was not statistically significant. The system enabled recognition of patients' behavior modifications to promote health. It is difficult to obtain quantitative data for health support, such as for respiratory rehabilitation in elderly COPD patients living at home. However, the present results suggest that virtually connecting patients with their support networks via information and communication technology (ICT) equipment provides support for the physical aspect of their care.

Management of Older Outpatients during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The GeroCovid Ambulatory Study.

OBJECTIVES: The GeroCovid Study is a multi-setting, multinational, and multi-scope registry that includes the GeroCovid home and outpatients' care cohort. The present study aims to evaluate whether outpatient and home care services with remote monitoring and consultation could mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental and affective status, perceived well-being, and personal capabilities of outpatients and home care patients with cognitive disorders. METHODS: Prospectively recorded patients in an electronic web registry provided by BlueCompanion Ltd. Up to October 31, 2020, the sample included 90 patients receiving regular care from the Center for Cognitive Disorders and Dementia in Catanzaro Lido, Italy. It was made of 52 ambulatory outpatients and 38 home care patients, mean age 83.3 ± 7.54 years. Participants underwent a multidimensional assessment at baseline (T0) and after 90 days (T1). For each patient, we administered the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) for cognitive functions, the Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental ADL (IADL) scales for functional capabilities, the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS) for comorbidities and their impact on patients' health, the 5-items Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) for mood, and the Euro Quality of Life (EuroQoL) for perceived quality of life. Contacts with both ambulatory and home care patients were managed in person or via telephone, preferably through video calls (WhatsApp or FaceTime). RESULTS: Contacts with patients were kept at T0 through telephone. At T1, visits were made in person for over 95% out of the cases. The ADL, IADL, CIRS, GDS, MMSE, and EuroQoL changed slightly between T0 and T1. Most of the patients were clinically stable over time on the majority of the scales explored, but behavioral changes were found in 24.4% of patients and anxiety and insomnia in 17.7% of patients. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that contacts through telephone and video consultations are likely associated with a health status preservation of the patients.

Nursing diagnoses in a home-based program: cross-mapping and NANDA-I Taxonomy / Diagnósticos de enfermería en un programa domiciliar: mapeo cruzado y Taxonomía de la NANDA-I / Diagnósticos de enfermagem em programa domiciliar: mapeamento cruzado e Taxonomia da NANDA-I

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify Nursing diagnoses in patients in home care by cross-mapping terms obtained in the anamnesis and clinical examination, with NANDA-I Taxonomy. Method: descriptive exploratory study, transversal type, performed with 131 patients from a home health care program in northern Minas Gerais State. With the aid of an instrument based on the theoretical model of Basic Human Needs, the terms indicators of conditions that required nursing interventions were extracted. The cross-mapping of these terms was also performed with NANDA-I Taxonomy diagnoses. Results: 378 terms and expressions referring to 49 different diagnoses were identified in 11 of the 13 domains of NANDA-I Taxonomy. Conclusion: the profile of identified nursing diagnoses can contribute to care management and organizational processes of nurses who provide care to patients in home care.

RESUMEN Objetivo: identificar diagnósticos de enfermería en pacientes en atención domiciliaria por medio del mapeo cruzado de términos obtenidos en la anamnesis y el examen clínico, con la Taxonomía de la NANDA-I. Método: estudio exploratorio descriptivo, del tipo transversal, realizado con 131 pacientes de un programa de atención domiciliaria de salud del norte del estado de Minas Gerais. Con el auxilio de un instrumento basado en el modelo teórico de las Necesidades Humanas Básicas se extrajeron los términos indicadores de condiciones que demandaban intervenciones de enfermería. Se realizó, también, el mapeo cruzado de esos términos con los diagnósticos de la Taxonomía de la NANDA-I. Resultados: se identificaron 378 términos y expresiones que se referían a 49 diferentes diagnósticos en 11 de los 13 dominios de la Taxonomía de la NANDA-I. Conclusión: el perfil de diagnósticos de enfermería identificado puede contribuir a la gestión de la atención y de los procesos organizacionales de enfermeros que prestan asistencia a pacientes en atención domiciliaria.

RESUMO Objetivo: identificar diagnósticos de enfermagem em pacientes em atenção domiciliar por meio do mapeamento cruzado de termos obtidos na anamnese e o exame clínico, com a Taxonomia da NANDA-I. Método: estudo exploratório descritivo, do tipo transversal realizado com 131 pacientes de um programa de atenção domiciliar à saúde do norte de Minas Gerais. Com o auxílio de um instrumento embasado no modelo teórico das Necessidades Humanas Básicas extraíram-se os termos indicadores de condições que demandavam intervenções de enfermagem. Realizou-se, também, o mapeamento cruzado desses termos com os diagnósticos da Taxonomia da NANDA-I. Resultados: foram identificados 378 termos e expressões que se referiam a 49 diferentes diagnósticos em 11 dos 13 domínios da Taxonomia da NANDA-I. Conclusão: o perfil de diagnósticos de enfermagem identificado pode contribuir para a gestão do cuidado e dos processos organizacionais de enfermeiros que prestam assistência a pacientes em atenção domiciliar.

O cuidado domiciliar transpessoal: vivências do paciente / Transpersonal home care: patient experiences

Resumo: Introdução: O cuidado realizado no domicílio tende a ser mais próximo e orientado às singulares e necessidades dos usuários, que permanecem inseridos em seu contexto de vida, e possibilita inter-relações efetivas entre profissional de saúde, paciente e família. O ser que vivência o cuidado domiciliar deve ser entendido como o protagonista e definidor do seu projeto terapêutico, que assumi a centralidade na produção do seu cuidado, entretanto, pouca voz é dada a este ator para expressar suas opções, sentimentos e experiências vivenciadas. A teoria do cuidado humano, referencial teórico desta tese, propõem que o cuidado transpessoal favorece o crescimento pessoal significativo por meio da ajuda, confiança e liberdade, e promove restauração e integralidade de corpo, mente e espírito como uma unidade, em um processo no qual paciente e profissional de saúde une força para transpor uma situação. Assim, defende-se a tese de que o cuidado domiciliar é desenvolvido em um contexto de reconstituição, no momento do cuidado, e possível pela busca de uma inter-relação transpessoal singular entre quem cuida e quem é cuidado. Objetivos: Desenvolver uma teoria substantiva representativa da vivência do cuidado domiciliar no Brasil e Portugal e propor ações para a prática de enfermagem que conduzam à interação transpessoal com o paciente. Metodologia: Grounded Theory desenvolvida na região sul do Brasil junto a um Serviço de Atendimento Domiciliar e no cenário português junto a uma Unidade Local de Saúde na região do Porto. Os dados foram coletados no período de fevereiro de 2016 a novembro de 2017. A seleção dos participantes foi realizada pela amostragem teórica entre os grupos amostrais: pacientes, familiares cuidadores e profissionais de saúde. A amostra foi constituída por 53 participantes (28 brasileiros e 25 portugueses). A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de entrevista semiestruturada em profundidade. Para análise e organização dos dados utilizou-se a elaboração de memorandos, diagramas e o software QSR Nvivo 10. A codificação seguiu o modelo glasseriano que ocorre em duas fases: codificação substantiva e teórica, subdividindo-se a primeira em codificação aberta e seletiva. Na codificação teórica evidenciou a interrelação dos conceitos por meio do código teórico família interativa e seis Cs. Resultados: Após o estabelecimento dos dois modelos teóricos (brasileiro e português) realizou-se a integração dos conceitos, especificando propriedade e dimensões aos elementos de sustentação que culminou na teoria substantiva cujo conceito central é "Buscando o cuidado domiciliar transpessoal" causada por "Principiando o cuidado domiciliar" que tem como condição interveniente "Tendo o suporte para o cuidado domiciliar", está inserido no contexto de "Suscitando um ambiente de reconstituição", cuja a consequência é "Concebendo o momento do cuidado". Como contribuições para o desenvolvimento de interações transpessoais no cuidado domiciliar apresenta-se a integração com o ensino por meio de um plano, o uso de modelo de cuidado específico, a utilização de guia prático para o desenvolvimento do cuidado transpessoal e a aplicação de escalas para a avaliação das práticas transpessoais domiciliares. Considerações Finais: Uma situação de desarmonia do copo, mente e/ou espirito pode levar o ser humano, autônomo e livre, a viver em um ambiente restrito domiciliar, dependente de outras pessoas e submetido ao fazer técnico científico das profissões de saúde. No desenvolvimento deste estudo buscou-se saber como estes seres únicos e singulares, presentes no mundo, cuja a possibilidade de falar sobre suas experiências foi proporcionada, agiam, sentiam, experienciavam e enfrentavam o cuidado domiciliar. Estas experiências somada a teoria do cuidado humano proporcionam fundamentação teórica e prática para o desenvolvimento da enfermagem domiciliar.

Abstract: Introduction: Home care tends to be more oriented to users' singularities and needs, who remain within their living context, and enables effective interrelationships between health professionals, patients and families. The being experiencing home care must be understood as the protagonist and designer of his/her therapeutic projects, taking over the centrality in care delivery, however, little voice is provided to that actor to express his/her options, feelings and lived experiences. The Theory of Human Caring, theoretical background of this thesis, claims that the transpersonal caring fosters meaningful personal growth by means of help/trust/freedom, and promotes the restoration and integrality of body, mind and spirit as a unit, in a process where patients and health professionals join to overcome a situation. Thus, it is advocated the thesis that home care is developed in a context of reconstitution, during the moment of caring, and it is possible by means of searching for a singular transpersonal interrelationship between the one who cares, and the one who is cared. Objectives: to develop a substantive theory, representative of the home care in Brazil and Portugal; and to propose actions for nursing practice, which lead to the transpersonal interaction with patients. Methodology: Grounded Theory developed in Southern Brazil at a Home Care service, and in Portuguese settings at a local healthcare unit in the region of Porto. Data were collected between February 2016 and July 2017. The selection of the research participants was carried out by means of theoretical sampling among the sample groups: patients, family caregivers and health professionals. Sampling comprised 53 participants (28 Brazilian and 25 Portuguese subjects). Data collection was held by means of in-depth semi-structured interview. For data analysis and organization, the elaboration of memos, diagrams and QSR Nvivo 10 software were used. Coding was grounded in Glaser model, being held in two steps: substantive and theoretical coding, the former subdivided in open and selective coding. In the theoretical coding, the relations were evidenced by means of the theoretical interactive coding family and the six Cs. Results: After establishing both theoretical models (Brazilian and Portuguese), concept integration was carried out, attributing property and dimensions to the supporting elements, culminating with the final substantive theory titled "Searching for transpersonal home caring" caused by "Beginning home care", which has "Having the support for home care" as the intervention condition, inserted in the context of "Fostering a reconstitution environment," whose consequence is "Conceiving the caring moment." A teaching plan, the use of a specific caring model, the use of a practical guide for the development of the transpersonal caring, and application of scales to assess home care transpersonal practices are the proposed contributions to the development of transpersonal home caring interactions. Final Considerations: An imbalancing situation of body, mind and/or spirit may lead autonomous, free human beings to live in a restricted household environment, dependent on others, and submitted to the technical performance of healthcare professions. During the development of this study, it was objectified the realization of how such unique and singular beings, present in the world, who were provided with the possibility to talk about their experiences, would act, feel, experience and cope with home care. Such experiences, in addition to the Theory of Human Caring, provide theoretical and practical grounding for the development of home care nursing.

Resumen: Introducción: El cuidado realizado en el domicilio tiende a ser más próximo y orientado a las singularidades y necesidades de los usuarios, que permanecen dentro de su contexto de vida, y posibilita interrelaciones efectivas entre el profesional de salud, el paciente y la familia. El ser que vivencia el cuidado domiciliar debe ser entendido como el protagonista y definidor de su proyecto terapéutico, que asume la centralidad en la producción de su cuidado, sin embargo, a este actor le es dada poca voz para expresar sus opciones, sentimientos y experiencias vividas. La teoría del cuidado humano, referencial o marco teórico de esta tesis, propone que el cuidado transpersonal favorece el crecimiento personal significativo por medio de la ayuda, confianza y libertad, así como también promueve la restauración e integralidad de cuerpo, mente y espíritu como una unidad, en un proceso en el que el paciente y el profesional de salud unen fuerzas para transponer una situación. Así, se defiende la tesis de que el cuidado domiciliar se desarrolla en un contexto de reconstitución, en el momento del cuidado, y es posible por la búsqueda de una interrelación transpersonal singular entre quien cuida y quien es cuidado. Objetivos: Desarrollar una teoría sustantiva representativa de la vivencia del cuidado domiciliar en Brasil y Portugal, y proponer acciones para la práctica de enfermería que conduzcan a la interacción transpersonal con el paciente. Metodología: Grounded Theory desarrollada en la región sur de Brasil en un Servicio de Atendimiento Domiciliar y en el escenario portugués en una Unidad Local de Salud en la región de Porto. La recolección de datos se produjo durante el período de febrero de 2016 a noviembre de 2017. La selección de los participantes se realizó a través de muestreo teórico entre los grupos muestrales: pacientes, familiares cuidadores y profesionales de salud. La muestra la constituyeron 53 participantes (28 brasileños y 25 portugueses). La recolección de datos se realizó por medio de entrevista semiestructurada en profundidad. Para el análisis y organización de los datos se utilizó la elaboración de memorandos, diagramas y el software QSR Nvivo 10. La codificación siguió el modelo glasseriano que consta de dos fases: codificación sustantiva y teórica, con subdivisión de la primera en codificación abierta y selectiva. En la codificación teórica se evidenció la interrelación de los conceptos por medio del código teórico familia interactiva y seis Cs. Resultados: Después de establecer los dos modelos teóricos (brasileño y portugués) se realizó la integración de los conceptos, especificando propiedad y dimensiones de los elementos de sustentación, lo que culminó en la teoría sustantiva final intitulada: "Buscando el cuidado domiciliar transpersonal" causada por "Iniciando el cuidado domiciliar" que tiene como condición interviniente "Teniendo el soporte para el cuidado domiciliar", está inserido en el contexto de "Suscitando un ambiente de reconstitución", cuya consecuencia es "Concibiendo el momento del cuidado". Como contribuciones para el desarrollo de interacciones transpersonales en el cuidado domiciliar se presenta la integración con la enseñanza por medio de un plan, el uso de modelo de cuidado específico, la utilización de guía práctica para el desarrollo del cuidado transpersonal y la aplicación de escalas para la evaluación de las prácticas transpersonales domiciliares. Conclusiones: Una situación de desarmonía del cuerpo, mente y/o espíritu puede llevar al ser humano, autónomo y libre, a vivir en un ambiente restringido domiciliar, dependiente de otras personas y sometido a los quehaceres técnicos de las profesiones de salud. Durante el desarrollo de este estudio se procuró saber cómo estos seres únicos y singulares, presentes en el mundo, a quienes se les proporcionó la posibilidad de hablar sobre sus experiencias, actuaban, sentían, experimentaban y enfrentaban el cuidado domiciliar. Estas experiencias sumadas a la teoría del cuidado humano proporcionan fundamentación teórica y práctica para el desarrollo de la enfermería domiciliar.

Visiting nurses' posthospital medication management in home health care: an ethnographic study.

BACKGROUND: Medication management is the most challenging component of a successful transition from hospital to home, a challenge of growing complexity as the number of older persons living with chronic conditions grows, along with increasingly specialised and accelerated hospital treatment plans. Thus, many patients are discharged with complex medication regimen instructions, accentuating the risk of medication errors that may cause readmission, adverse drug events and a need for further health care. AIM: The aim of this study was to explore visiting nurses' medication management in home health care after hospital discharge and to identify key elements in patient medication for improved patient safety. METHOD: Inspired by the ethnographic research cycle, participant observations and informal interviews were conducted at 12 initial visits by a nurse in a patient's home after hospital discharge. Data consisted of field notes and photographs from the patients' homes, medication lists and medical records. Field notes were analysed in four steps. FINDINGS: The analysis showed 12 stages in medication management in which nurses strove to adjust medication management to the patients' actual health status by mediating on knowledge of the patient, information to the patient and on rules and regulations and by establishing order in medication lists and medications in the home. CONCLUSION: The nurse-patient relationship, the integration of care and the context of care challenged patient safety in visiting nurses' medication management in patients' homes after hospital discharge. The implications for practice were the following: to ensure nurses' opportunities to continuously evolve their observation skills and skills in making sound clinical judgements; to establish interprofessional working processes which support the continuous assessment of patients' needs and the adjustment of care and treatment; to clarify expectations to nurses' responsibility and patients' privacy.

Patients' experiences of care and support at home after a family member's participation in an intervention during palliative care.

OBJECTIVE: Patients who receive palliative home care are in need of support from family members, who take on great responsibility related to caregiving but who often feel unprepared for this task. Increasing numbers of interventions aimed at supporting family members in palliative care have been described and evaluated. It is not known whether and how these interventions actually affect the care or support provided to a patient, even though it has been suggested that family members would be likely to provide better care and support and thus allow for positive experiences for patients. However, this has not been studied from the perspective of the patients themselves. The objective of our study was to explore patients' experiences of care and support at home after family members' participation in a psychoeducational intervention during palliative care. METHOD: Our study took a qualitative approach, and interviews were conducted with 11 patients whose family members had participated in a psychoeducational intervention during palliative home care. The interviews were analyzed employing interpretive description. RESULTS: Patients' experiences were represented by three themes: "safe at home," "facilitated and more honest communication," and "feeling like a unit of care." Patients felt that their needs were better met and that family members became more confident at home without risking their own health. Patients felt relieved when family members were given the opportunity to talk and reflect with others and hoped that the intervention would contribute to more honest communications between themselves and their family members. Further, it was of great importance to patients that family members receive attention from and be confirmed and supported by healthcare professionals. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Our findings show how an intervention targeted at family members during palliative home care also benefits the patients.

Prevalence and predictors of potentially inappropriate medications among home care elderly patients in Qatar.

BACKGROUND: Older patients receiving home health care are particularly at risk of receiving potentially inappropriate medications compared to community-dwelling population. Data on appropriateness of prescribing in these patients is limited. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence, patterns and determinants of potentially inappropriate medications among elderly patients receiving Home Health Care Services in Qatar. SETTING: Home Health Care Services department in Hamad Medical Corporation-Qatar. METHODS: A cross-sectional study, conducted over a 3 months period. Patients 65 years and older, taking at least one medication and receiving home care services were included. Potentially inappropriate medications were identified and classified in accordance with the American Geriatrics Society 2012 Beers Criteria. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications using updated Beers criteria. RESULTS: A total of 191 patients (38.2%) had at least one potentially inappropriate medication. As per Beers criteria, 35% of medications were classified as medications to be avoided in older adults regardless of conditions and 9% as potentially inappropriate medications when used with certain diseases or syndromes. The majority of potentially inappropriate medications (56%) were classified as medications to be used with caution. The two leading classes of potentially inappropriate medications were antipsychotics (27.4%) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (16%). Significant predictors of inappropriate prescribing were hypertension [adjusted OR 1.7; 95% CI (1.0, 2.8)], dementia [adjusted OR 2.0; 95% CI (1.2, 3.1)], depression [adjusted OR 21.6; 95% CI (2.8, 168.4)], and taking more than ten prescribed medications [adjusted OR 1.9; 95% CI (1.3, 2.8)]. CONCLUSION: Prescribing potentially inappropriate medications is common among older adults receiving home health care services in Qatar, a finding that warrants further attention. Polypharmacy, hypertension, depression and dementia were significantly associated with potentially inappropriate prescribing.

Effects of home exercise on physical function and activity in home care patients with Parkinson's disease.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to clarify the effects of guidance in home exercise on physical function and the amount of activity in home care patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). [Subjects and Methods] A 2-month home exercise intervention consisting of self-administered exercise by patients (self-exercise) and home visit exercise therapy guided by a physical therapist (home visit exercise) was conducted in 10 home care patients with PD to compare changes in physical function, activities of daily living, and postural status between before and after the intervention. [Results] A decreased number of chief complaints and alleviation of fear of falling were observed after the intervention. In terms of physical function, a significant increase in flexibility and muscle strength were observed, although no significant changes were found in activities of daily living, gait, and balance. Although there was no significant change in the total amount of daily physical activity, the analysis of daily posture changes revealed a significant reduction in the percentage of time spent lying down and a significant increase in the percentage of time spent sitting after the intervention. [Conclusion] Guidance in home exercise in home care patients with PD can be effective in making self-exercise a habit, improving range of motion and muscle strength, and reducing the time spent in a supine position.

Personal Use of Medical Equipment in Home Care Patients / 기본간호학회지

This study was conducted to investigate the use of medical equipment in patients receiving home care service. The subjects of this study were 88 patients cared by seven home care nursed who were registered in the Seoul Nurses Association. Data was collected from Aug. 1, 1998 to Dec. 30, 1998. The findings are as follows. 1. The sample was found to be 55.7% female : 51.7% over 65 years old. 75% with neurologic disease including CVA, brain tumor, ICH, Parkinsonism & Spinal stenosis and 78.4% living in Seoul. The Clinical experience of the home care nurses was greater than five years. 2. Medical equipment which the patients port sensed were folly catheters(61.4%), L-tubes(59.1%) and tracheostomy tubes(51.1%). 3. Technical difficulties in use of medical equipment were related to home care ventilators(60.0%), L-tubes(3.8%) and tracheostomy tubes (2.2%) 4. Most of the medical equipment were obtained from the hospital where they had been admitted previously or from medical equipment companies. 5. Complications from the use of this equipment were infection through invasive techniques Including wound drainage tubes(50%), and IV injections(22.2%), The complications were resolved through referral to the doctor of the hospital where they were previously admitted or through community health centers. 6. Most of the equipment was disposable, and equipment was disinfected by using various methods including boiling and soaking in antiseptic solutions. These findings suggest that consistant policy on the management of medical equipment is necessary for the safety of home care patients.

Comparison of Traditional Gauze Dressing and Occlusive Hydrocolloid Dressing in 2nd Stage over Decubitus Ulcer Treatment in Regional Home Care Settings / 기본간호학회지

This study is to evaluate the decubitus ulcer healing effect of occlusive dressing with hydrocolloid and traditional dry dressing for home care nursing clients. Study design was quasi-experimental pre-post test design. Control group(15 person) was treated decubitus wound with traditional dry gauze dressing, and experimental group(17 persons) was treated decubitus ulcer with occlusive dressing with hydrocolloid and calcium alginate(17 persons). Study period was from 8/1/97 to 12/31/97. Subject subjects was 17 males and 15 females with 2nd phase over decubitus ulcer aged 30 to 70 who have been registered as home care nursing clients in Nurse's Association in Seoul city. Outcome variables were stages, size of decubitus ulcer, pain at dressing time and exudate amount. Study result as follows. Occlusive dressing with hydrocolloid was superior to traditional gauze dressing decreasing ulcer size and phase, and shortening treatment period. Dressing change of occlusive dressing was easier than that of traditional gauze dressing. In conclusion, occlusive dressing was recommended to treat decubitus ulcer in home care patients even if hydrocolloid is expensive to gauze dressing because of treatment effect and easiness of dressing.