Characteristics of Older Adults with Alzheimer's Disease Who Were Hospitalized during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Secondary Data Analysis.

We aim to investigate the relationships between the population characteristics of patients with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and their Healthcare Utilization (HU) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Electronic health records (EHRs) were utilized. The study sample comprised those with ICD-10 codes G30.0, G30.1, G30.8, and G30.9 between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2021. Pearson's correlation and multiple regression were used. The analysis utilized 1537 patient records with an average age of 82.20 years (SD = 7.71); 62.3% were female. Patients had an average of 1.64 hospitalizations (SD = 1.18) with an average length of stay (ALOS) of 7.45 days (SD = 9.13). Discharge dispositions were primarily home (55.1%) and nursing facilities (32.4%). Among patients with multiple hospitalizations, a negative correlation was observed between age and both ALOS (r = -0.1264, p = 0.0030) and number of hospitalizations (r = -0.1499, p = 0.0004). Predictors of longer ALOS included male gender (p = 0.0227), divorced or widowed (p = 0.0056), and the use of Medicare Advantage and other private insurance (p = 0.0178). Male gender (p = 0.0050) and Black race (p = 0.0069) were associated with a higher hospitalization frequency. We recommend future studies including the co-morbidities of AD patients, larger samples, and longitudinal data.

The experience of resilience in newly graduated nurses: A qualitative metasynthesis.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to understand the experiences and perceptions of newly graduated nurses in relation to resilience by providing an interpretive synthesis of the existing qualitative literature on this topic. BACKGROUND: Resilience in newly graduated nurses has been associated with increased satisfaction and decreased turnover. As the experience of resilience is unique to each individual, qualitative studies are well suited to explore this concept, yet the existing data is heterogenous. DESIGN: A qualitative metasynthesis was conducted using a meta-ethnographic approach. METHODS: The search was performed using PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global for the English literature and NDSL, KCI, RISS, KISS and DBpia for the Korean literature. The JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research was used to assess the quality of studies. An a priori protocol was created and registered on the Open Science Framework (Randall & De Gagne, 2022). RESULTS: The final review included seven articles published between 2008 and 2021. Three main themes were identified: (1) internal experience of resilience; (2) external sources of resilience; and (3) building resilience over time. Subthemes were also identified. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that resilience can be developed over time during the period of transition from student nurse to professional nurse and is impacted by personal and organizational influences. The promotion of resilience presents considerations and opportunities for health care leaders and administrators.

Predictors of patient safety activities among registered nurses and nurse aides in long-term care facilities: cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: In Korea, nurse aides (NAs) are legally permitted as substitutes for registered nurses (RNs) in long-term care (LTC) facilities, even though they have very different levels of education and qualification standards. Many studies in hospitals have shown better hospital nurse staffing, more educated nurses, and improved nurse work environments have been associated with lower hospital mortality and length of stay. There is research showing that a higher percentage of RNs with a bachelor's degree corresponded to lower incidence rates of pressure ulcers in Korean LTC facilities. This study aimed to explore the factors that influence patient safety activities of the RNs and NAs working in LTC facilities and to identify the relationship between patient safety culture (PSC) and patient safety activities. METHODS: This study is a descriptive cross-sectional survey. The study participants were conveniently collected from 88 RNs and 71 NAs who worked at 33 LTC facilities for more than three months. The patient safety activities tool was developed by the researchers for residents of LTC facilities based on the tools developed by Park et al. (2012) for hospital nurses and the patient safety goals of the Joint Commission. The questionnaires were collected by email or mobile application and kept confidential. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean scores of PSC and patient safety activities were 4.03 ± 0.51 points and 4.29 ± 0.49 points out of 5, respectively. There was significant correlation between PSC and patient safety activities (r = .23, p = .004). Factors influencing patient safety activities among RNs and NAs in LTC facilities were RNs (ß = .377, p < .001), organizational system of PSC (ß = .314, p < .010), and work shift type (fixed night shift, on-call, 24-h shift) (ß = -.264, p = .004), which explained about 36.0% of total variance (F = 5.69, p < .001). CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that it is necessary to mandate RNs instead of NAs to enhance residents' safety in LTC facilities. Additionally, the importance of an organizational safety system and effective working shift types to prevent residents' safety accidents in LTC facilities is indicated.