Factors associated with avoidable hospital transfers among residents in Swiss nursing homes.

Unplanned hospitalizations from nursing homes (NHs) may be considered potentially avoidable and can result in adverse resident outcomes. There is little information about the relationship between a clinical assessment conducted by a physician or geriatric nurse expert before hospitalization and an ensuing rating of avoidability. This study aimed to describe characteristics of unplanned hospitalizations (admitted residents with at least one night stay, emergency department visits were excluded) and to examine this relationship. We conducted a cohort study in 11 Swiss NHs and retrospectively evaluated data from the root cause analysis of 230 unplanned hospitalizations. A telephone assessment by a physician (p=.043) and the need for further medical clarification and treatment (p=<0.001) were the principal factors related to ratings of avoidability. Geriatric nurse experts can support NH teams in acute situations and assess residents while adjudicating unplanned hospitalizations. Constant support for nurses expanding their clinical role is still warranted.

[Assessment in the home of the elderly following a first fall with Samu intervention]. / Évaluation au domicile des personnes âgées dans les suites d'une première chute avec intervention du Samu.

The Rising-Dom study is a project to evaluate the impact of home intervention by an experienced geriatric nurse on mortality and institutionalization of older people who fall. It is a multicentre randomised interventional study. The two-year follow-up will compare the evolution of two groups: intervention (assessment by the nurse and proposal of a care plan) vs. usual care (simple information on ageing well and on the prevention of falls at home). First feedback from the field.

Enfermera del ámbito de la geriatría de Barcelona. Situación socioeconómica, laboral y percepción de su rol / Nurses in geriatric field of Barcelona. Socioeconomic situation, labour and role perception

Objetivo: Determinar y describir la situación laboral de las enfermeras del ámbito de la geriatría de la provincia de Barcelona, así como su percepción. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo transversal, a través de una encuesta online anónima enviada a las enfermeras registradas o que habían realizado formación en geriatría en el COIB (Col·legi Oficial d'Infermeres i Infermers de Barcelona). La encuesta ad hoc consistía en 40 preguntas, mayoritariamente con respuestas múltiples cerradas, sobre datos relativos al lugar de trabajo y percepción. Resultados: El 91,4% eran mujeres, el 50,5% con más de 15 años de experiencia y el 59% tenía amplia experiencia en geriatría. Más de la mitad tienen formación específica, el 67,4% posgrado y el 41% máster. El 80,5% trabajaba exclusivamente en el ámbito asistencial, ubicadas en mayor proporción en centros sociosanitarios (36,5%) y residencias (40%). Tres de cada cuatro enfermeras tenían jornada completa y explicaban tener a su cargo más de 50 pacientes el 36,5% de ellas. El lugar de trabajo con sueldo más alto fue en los centros sociosanitarios, y el 69% no consideraba su sueldo adecuado. El 73,5% indicaba realizar siempre tareas asistenciales, pero el 58% nunca realizaba tareas de investigación o docencia. El 68,5% eligió la geriatría por decisión propia y el 69% no sentía reconocida su profesión. Conclusiones: Aunque las condiciones laborales en el ámbito de la geriatría constan de sueldos bajos, alto ratio de pacientes, poco tiempo para la investigación y percepción de poco reconocimiento, las enfermeras del ámbito de la geriatría de Barcelona sienten satisfacción profesional por su trabajo (AU)

Objective: Define, describe and discover the perception about the work situation of nurses in the geriatric field of Barcelona province. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study based in an anonymous survey sent to all the registered nurses or those who have been training in geriatrics in the COIB. The survey ad hoc consisted on 40 questions, most closed multiple choice related to workplace and perception. Results: 91.4% were women, 50.5% with more than 15 years of experience and the 59% had extensive experience in geriatrics. More than a half of the nurses had specific training, 67.4% a postgraduate degree and 41% a master’s degree. 80.5% worked exclusively in health care area, they were in larger proportion in long-term care facility 36.5% and 40% in a nursing home. Three out of four nurses had full-time work and 36.5% explained that they had over fifty patients. The workplace with a higher salary was longterm care facilities and 69% of the nurses didn’t think their salary is adequate. 73.5% always performed care tasks but 58% of them never had done teaching or research tasks. 68.5% explained that work in geriatrics was their own decision and 69% felt that people didn’t value their work. Conclusions: Although the labour conditions in geriatric field have low salaries, high ratio of patients, very little time to research and the feeling of people not valuing their work; the geriatric nurses of Barcelona feel job satisfaction (AU)

Moving the needle on fall prevention: A Geriatric Emergency Care Applied Research (GEAR) Network scoping review and consensus statement.

BACKGROUND: Although falls are common, costly, and often preventable, emergency department (ED)-initiated fall screening and prevention efforts are rare. The Geriatric Emergency Medicine Applied Research Falls core (GEAR-Falls) was created to identify existing research gaps and to prioritize future fall research foci. METHODS: GEAR's 49 transdisciplinary stakeholders included patients, geriatricians, ED physicians, epidemiologists, health services researchers, and nursing scientists. We derived relevant clinical fall ED questions and summarized the applicable research evidence, adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews. The highest-priority research foci were identified at the GEAR Consensus Conference. RESULTS: We identified two clinical questions for our review (1) fall prevention interventions (32 studies) and (2) risk stratification and falls care plan (19 studies). For (1) 21 of 32 (66%) of interventions were a falls risk screening assessment and 15 of 21 (71%) of these were combined with an exercise program or physical therapy. For (2) 11 fall screening tools were identified, but none were feasible and sufficiently accurate for ED patients. For both questions, the most frequently reported study outcome was recurrent falls, but various process and patient/clinician-centered outcomes were used. Outcome ascertainment relied on self-reported falls in 18 of 32 (56%) studies for (1) and nine of 19 (47%) studies for (2). CONCLUSION: Harmonizing definitions, research methods, and outcomes is needed for direct comparison of studies. The need to identify ED-appropriate fall risk assessment tools and role of emergency medical services (EMS) personnel persists. Multifactorial interventions, especially involving exercise, are more efficacious in reducing recurrent falls, but more studies are needed to compare appropriate bundle combinations. GEAR prioritizes five research priorities: (1) EMS role in improving fall-related outcomes, (2) identifying optimal ED fall assessment tools, (3) clarifying patient-prioritized fall interventions and outcomes, (4) standardizing uniform fall ascertainment and measured outcomes, and (5) exploring ideal intervention components.

Status quo of education of foreign geriatric nurse practitioners / 中华医学教育探索杂志

With the acceleration of the aging in China, the demand of health care for the elderly is increasing, which puts forward higher requirements for the education of geriatric nurses. There is no education system yet to develop geriatric nurse practitioners in China. Therefore, this paper introduces the length of schooling, curriculum contents, cultivation goals, the practice time, sites and main contents, the types and forms of teaching methods, the contents and requirements of course and graduation assessment of the training programs for master's and doctoral students abroad, so as to provide reference for the training of geriatric nurse practitioners in China.

'Thinking outside the box': advanced geriatric nursing in primary health care in Scandinavia.

BACKGROUND: Older people are frequent users of primary health care (PHC) services. PHC services have been critiqued, mainly regarding limited accessibility and continuity of care. In many countries, investment in nurse practitioners (NPs) has been one strategy to improve PHC services. In the North of Europe, the NP role is still in its infancy. The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of introducing geriatric nurse practitioners (GNPs) in PHC in Scandinavia, from multiprofessional and older persons' perspectives. METHODS: The study had a qualitative design, including 25 semi-structured interviews with nurses, nurse leaders, physicians, politicians and older persons from several communities in Scandinavia. The material was analysed by means of qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: The results highlight current challenges in health services for the older population, i.e. comorbid older patients with complex care needs aging in place, lack of competent staff, and organisational challenges. The results present an envisioned GNP scope of practice in health services for the older population, including bringing advanced competence closer to the patient, an autonomous role including task-shifting, and a linking role. The results also present factors influencing implementation of the GNP role, i.e. GNP competence level, unclear role and scope of practice, and openness to reorganisation. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that it is feasible to implement the GNP role in primary health care in Scandinavia. Notwithstanding, there are factors influencing implementation of the GNP role that should be considered.

Application of Curriculum Mapping Concepts to Integrate Multidisciplinary Competencies in the Care of Older Adults in Graduate Nurse Practitioner Curricula.

The number of Americans ages 65 and older is projected to more than double over the next four decades and to equal nearly one-fourth of the entire population by 2060. Recognizing that the health care workforce in the United States is not sufficiently prepared to meet the care needs of this growing population, the National Academy of Medicine has recommended curricular enhancements for health professional educational programs. To meet this challenge, the University of South Florida College of Nursing applied curriculum mapping principles and concepts to examine and align Family Nurse Practitioner and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program curricula for congruence with Partnership for Health in Aging multidisciplinary geriatric competencies. Through this process, we developed a geriatric-specific curriculum map and threaded geriatric-specific content, learning experiences, and learning assessment strategies to promote attainment of all 23 competencies. Given the growing role that nurse practitioners are projected to play in the delivery of primary care for older adults in the future, it is imperative that colleges and schools of nursing provide students with learning experiences to support attainment of the knowledge and skills graduates will need to care for older adults in practice. The techniques and strategies described here represent our approach.

The impact of geriatric focused nurse assessment and intervention in the emergency department: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Nursing assessment of elderly patients is imperative in Emergency Departments (ED) while providing interventions that increase independence facilitating discharge to primary healthcare. AIMS: To systematically review the impact of geriatric focused nurse assessment and intervention in the ED on hospital utilisation in terms of admission rate, ED revisits and length of hospital stay (LOHS). METHODS: Search strategy used following databases; Cochrane, Medline, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus and Web of Knowledge; And terms; geriatric nurse assessment, nurse discharge planning, geriatric nurse specialist, nurse intervention, emergency department, accident and emergency, patient outcomes, discharge, admissions, readmissions, hospital utilization, hospitalization, length of stay/hospital stay. RESULTS: Nine studies were included: seven RCTs and two prospective pre/post-intervention designed studies. Geriatric focused nursing assessment and interventions did not have a statistical impact on hospitalization, readmissions, LOHS and ED revisits. Risk screening and comprehensive geriatric assessment extending into primary care may reduce readmission rates but not affect hospitalization. An increase in ED visits in the intervention group at 30 days post-intervention was noted. CONCLUSION: Inconsistencies in assessment and interventions for the older person in ED are apparent. Further research evaluating a standardised risk assessment tool and innovative interventions extending into primary healthcare is required.

De la enfermera general a la enfermera geriátrica / From the general nurse to the geriatric nurse

Introducción: la definición enfermera está estrechamente ligada a su función y en consecuencia la definición de enfermería. Es un profesional que se dedica al cuidado de la salud de los seres humanos. La historia de la enfermería profesional comenzó con Nightingale, sus postulados sobre la formación de las enfermeras en la instrucción de principios científicos y experiencias prácticas para el desarrollo de habilidades sirvieron de modelo universal para las primeras escuelas de enfermería, lo que devino en la formación de enfermeras en las diferentes especialidades, como la atención al paciente geriátrico. Este temprano acierto en la formación de recursos de enfermería se refleja en las diferentes definiciones de enfermera que se aprecian en las diversas teorías aplicadas a enfermería. Objetivo: indagar sobre la evolución de la definición de enfermera, teniendo en cuenta su indispensable valor en la atención al paciente anciano. Métodos: se realizó análisis de contenido de documentos, que incluyó distintos libros de texto, artículos originales y de revisión publicados de 1993 al 2015 con las siguientes palabras clave, enfermera, geriatría, enfermería en SciELO, Dialnet y elsevier, se identificaron y revisaron 20 artículos de los que fueron útiles 11, así como monografías de varias revistas que permitió el análisis histórico lógico de la evolución de la categoría. Conclusiones: la indagación sobre la evolución de la definición de enfermera geriátrica permitió definir operacionalmente esta categoría, a partir de las particularidades de la enfermera geriátrica y el reto que enfrenta la demanda de servicios de geriatría y de enfermería en correspondencia con la satisfacción de necesidades al paciente geriátrico(AU)

Introduction: The definition of nurse is closely related to the professional's function and, in consequence, the definition of nursing, too. That person is a professional dedicated to caring for the health of human beings. The history of professional nursing started with Nightingale: her postulates about the training of nurses in the instruction of scientific principles and practical experiences for the development of skills served as a universal model for the first nursing schools, which later became the training of nurses in the different specialties, such as the care for the geriatric patient. This positive aspect at the beginning in the training of nursing resources is reflected in the deferent definitions of nursing perceived in the different theories applied to nursing. Objective: Inquire into the evolution of the definition of nurse, considering the indispensable value in the care for the elderly patient. Methods: Documental contents analysis was carried out, which included different text books, original and review articles published from 1993 and 2015 with the following key words: nurse, geriatrics, nursing, in SciELO, Dialnet and Elsevier. We identified and reviewed 20 articles, out of which 11 were useful, as well as monographs from several journals, which permitted the logical-historical analysis of the category's evolution. Conclusions: Inquiries into the evolution of the definition of geriatric nurse permitted to operationally define this category, from the particularities of the geriatric nurse and the challenge before the geriatric and nursing services demand in correspondence with the meeting of the geriatric patient's needs(AU)

De la enfermera general a la enfermera geriátrica / From the general nurse to the geriatric nurse

Introducción: la definición enfermera está estrechamente ligada a su función y en consecuencia la definición de enfermería. Es un profesional que se dedica al cuidado de la salud de los seres humanos. La historia de la enfermería profesional comenzó con Nightingale, sus postulados sobre la formación de las enfermeras en la instrucción de principios científicos y experiencias prácticas para el desarrollo de habilidades sirvieron de modelo universal para las primeras escuelas de enfermería, lo que devino en la formación de enfermeras en las diferentes especialidades, como la atención al paciente geriátrico. Este temprano acierto en la formación de recursos de enfermería se refleja en las diferentes definiciones de enfermera que se aprecian en las diversas teorías aplicadas a enfermería. Objetivo: indagar sobre la evolución de la definición de enfermera, teniendo en cuenta su indispensable valor en la atención al paciente anciano. Métodos: se realizó análisis de contenido de documentos, que incluyó distintos libros de texto, artículos originales y de revisión publicados de 1993 al 2015 con las siguientes palabras clave, enfermera, geriatría, enfermería en SciELO, Dialnet y elsevier, se identificaron y revisaron 20 artículos de los que fueron útiles 11, así como monografías de varias revistas que permitió el análisis histórico lógico de la evolución de la categoría. Conclusiones: la indagación sobre la evolución de la definición de enfermera geriátrica permitió definir operacionalmente esta categoría, a partir de las particularidades de la enfermera geriátrica y el reto que enfrenta la demanda de servicios de geriatría y de enfermería en correspondencia con la satisfacción de necesidades al paciente geriátrico(AU)

Introduction: The definition of nurse is closely related to the professional's function and, in consequence, the definition of nursing, too. That person is a professional dedicated to caring for the health of human beings. The history of professional nursing started with Nightingale: her postulates about the training of nurses in the instruction of scientific principles and practical experiences for the development of skills served as a universal model for the first nursing schools, which later became the training of nurses in the different specialties, such as the care for the geriatric patient. This positive aspect at the beginning in the training of nursing resources is reflected in the deferent definitions of nursing perceived in the different theories applied to nursing. Objective: Inquire into the evolution of the definition of nurse, considering the indispensable value in the care for the elderly patient. Methods: Documental contents analysis was carried out, which included different text books, original and review articles published from 1993 and 2015 with the following key words: nurse, geriatrics, nursing, in SciELO, Dialnet and Elsevier. We identified and reviewed 20 articles, out of which 11 were useful, as well as monographs from several journals, which permitted the logical-historical analysis of the category's evolution. Conclusions: Inquiries into the evolution of the definition of geriatric nurse permitted to operationally define this category, from the particularities of the geriatric nurse and the challenge before the geriatric and nursing services demand in correspondence with the meeting of the geriatric patient's needs(AU)