Prevalence of behavioral symptoms: comparison of the minimum data set assessments with research instruments

Detecting Agitated Behaviors in Nursing Home Residents With Dementia Using Electronic Medical Records

OBJECTIVES

Agitated behaviors (behaviors) are common in nursing home (NH) residents with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Pragmatic trials of behavior management interventions rely on routinely collected Minimum Data Set (MDS) data to evaluate study outcomes, despite known underreporting. We describe a method to augment MDS-based behavioral measures with structured and unstructured data from NH electronic medical records (EMR).

DESIGN

Repeated cross-sectional analyses of EMR data from a single multistate NH corporation.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Long-stay residents (at least 90 days in NH) with ADRD from January 2020 through August 2022.

METHODS

Quarterly and annual assessments of NH residents with ADRD during the study period were identified. For MDS, any behavior was defined as a score of 1 or higher on the Agitated and Reactive Behavior Scale. For structured EMR data, any behavior was defined as increased resident agitation, verbal aggression, or physical aggression on the Interventions to Reduce Acute Care Transfers, Change in Condition form (INTERACT). For unstructured EMR data, any behavior was defined using keyword searches of free-text orders.

RESULTS

A total of 77,936 MDS assessments for 19,705 long-stay residents with ADRD in 322 NHs were identified; 14.8% (SD 35.6) of residents had behaviors per month using MDS alone, 16.2% (SD 36.9) using MDS and INTERACT, and 18.6% (SD 38.9) using MDS, INTERACT, and orders. Supplementing MDS with EMR data increased behavior identification by 3.8 percentage points (a 25.7% relative increase). Less than 0.5% had behaviors noted in all 3 sources consistently across study months.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Using EMR data increased detectable behaviors vs the MDS alone. The 3 sources captured different types of behaviors and using them together may be a more comprehensive identification strategy. These results are important for better targeting of interventions and allocation of resources to improve the quality of life for NH residents with ADRD-related behaviors.

Using Structured Observations to Evaluate the Effects of a Personalized Music Intervention on Agitated Behaviors and Mood in Nursing Home Residents With Dementia: Results From an Embedded, Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this research was to determine if a personalized music intervention reduced the frequency of agitated behaviors as measured by structured observations of nursing home (NH) residents with dementia.

DESIGN

The design was a parallel, cluster-randomized, controlled trial.

SETTING

The setting was 54 NH (27 intervention, 27 control) from four geographically-diverse, multifacility NH corporations.

PARTICIPANTS

The participants were 976 NH residents (483 intervention, 493 control) with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias (66% with moderate to severe symptoms); average age 80.3 years (SD: 12.3) and 25.1% were Black.

INTERVENTION

The intervention was individuals' preferred music delivered via a personalized music device.

MEASUREMENT

The measurement tool was the Agitated Behavior Mapping Instrument, which captures the frequency of 13 agitated behaviors and five mood states during 3-minute observations.

RESULTS

The results show that no verbally agitated behaviors were reported in a higher proportion of observations among residents in NHs randomized to receive the intervention compared to similar residents in NHs randomized to usual care (marginal interaction effect (MIE): 0.061, 95% CI: 0.028-0.061). Residents in NHs randomized to receive the intervention were also more likely to be observed experiencing pleasure compared to residents in usual care NHs (MIE: 0.038; 95% CI: 0.008-0.073)). There was no significant effect of the intervention on physically agitated behaviors, anger, fear, alertness, or sadness.

CONCLUSIONS

The conclusions are that personalized music may be effective at reducing verbally-agitated behaviors. Using structured observations to measure behaviors may avoid biases of staff-reported measures.

Pragmatic Trial of Personalized Music for Agitation and Antipsychotic Use in Nursing Home Residents With Dementia

OBJECTIVE

To test the effect of a personalized music intervention on agitated behaviors and medication use among long-stay nursing home residents with dementia.

DESIGN

Pragmatic, cluster-randomized controlled trial of a personalized music intervention. Staff in intervention facilities identified residents' early music preferences and offered music at early signs of agitation or when disruptive behaviors typically occur. Usual care in control facilities may include ambient or group music.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

The study was conducted between June 2019 and February 2020 at 54 nursing homes (27 intervention and 27 control) in 10 states owned by 4 corporations.

METHODS

Four-month outcomes were measured for each resident. The primary outcome was frequency of agitated behaviors using the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory. Secondary outcomes included frequency of agitated behaviors reported in the Minimum Data Set and the proportion of residents using antipsychotic, antidepressant, or antianxiety medications.

RESULTS

The study included 976 residents with dementia [483 treatment and 493 control; mean age = 80.3 years (SD 12.3), 69% female, 25% African American]. CMAI scores were not significantly different (treatment: 50.67, SE 1.94; control: 49.34, SE 1.68) [average marginal effect (AME) 1.33, SE 1.38, 95% CI -1.37 to 4.03]. Minimum Data Set-based behavior scores were also not significantly different (treatment: 0.35, SE 0.13; control: 0.46, SE 0.11) (AME -0.11, SE 0.10, 95% CI -0.30 to 0.08). Fewer residents in intervention facilities used antipsychotics in the past week compared with controls (treatment: 26.2, SE 1.4; control: 29.6, SE 1.3) (AME -3.61, SE 1.85, 95% CI -7.22 to 0.00), but neither this nor other measures of psychotropic drug use were statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Personalized music was not significantly effective in reducing agitated behaviors or psychotropic drug use among long-stay residents with dementia. Barriers to full implementation included engaging frontline nursing staff and identifying resident's preferred music.

Measuring the effects of a personalized music intervention on agitated behaviors among nursing home residents with dementia: design features for cluster-randomized adaptive trial

BACKGROUND

Agitated and aggressive behaviors (behaviors) are common in nursing home (NH) residents with dementia. Medications commonly used to manage behaviors have dangerous side effects. NHs are adopting non-pharmacological interventions to manage behaviors, despite a lack of effectiveness evidence and an understanding of optimal implementation strategies. We are conducting an adaptive trial to evaluate the effects of personalized music on behaviors. Adaptive trials may increase efficiency and reduce costs associated with traditional RCTs by learning and making modifications to the trial while it is ongoing.

METHODS

We are conducting two consecutive parallel cluster-randomized trials with 54 NHs in each trial (27 treatment, 27 control). Participating NHs were recruited from 4 corporations which differ in size, ownership structure, geography, and residents' racial composition. After randomization, there were no significant differences between the NHs randomized to each trial with respect to baseline behaviors, number of eligible residents, degree of cognitive impairment, or antipsychotic use. Agitated behavior frequency is assessed via staff interviews (primary outcome), required nursing staff conducted resident assessments (secondary outcome), and direct observations of residents (secondary outcome). Between the two parallel trials, the adaptive design will be used to test alternative implementation strategies, increasingly enroll residents who are likely to benefit from the intervention, and seamlessly conduct a stage III/IV trial.

DISCUSSION

This adaptive trial allows investigators to estimate the impact of a popular non-pharmaceutical intervention (personalized music) on residents' behaviors, under pragmatic, real-world conditions testing two implementation strategies. This design has the potential to reduce the research timeline by improving the likelihood of powered results, increasingly enrolling residents most likely to benefit from intervention, sequentially assessing the effectiveness of implementation strategies in the same trial, and creating a statistical model to reduce the future need for onsite data collection. The design may also increase research equity by enrolling and tailoring the intervention to populations otherwise excluded from research. Our design will inform pragmatic testing of other interventions with limited efficacy evidence but widespread stakeholder adoption because of the real-world need for non-pharmaceutical approaches. {2A} TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03821844 . Registered on January 30, 2019. This trial registration meets the World Health Organization (WHO) minimum standard.

Impact of deprescribing AChEIs on aggressive behaviors and antipsychotic prescribing

INTRODUCTION

We evaluated the impact of deprescribing acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) on aggressive behaviors and incident antipsychotic use in nursing home (NH) residents with severe dementia.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of Medicare claims, Part D, Minimum Data Set for NH residents aged 65+ with severe dementia receiving AChEIs in 2016. Aggressive behaviors were measured using the aggressive behavior scale (ABS; n = 30,788). Incident antipsychotic prescriptions were evaluated among antipsychotic non-users (n = 25,188). Marginal structural models and inverse probability of treatment weights were used to evaluate associations of AChEI deprescribing and outcomes.

RESULTS

The severity of aggressive behaviors was low at baseline (mean ABS = 0.5) and was not associated with deprescribing AChEIs (0.002 increase in ABS, P = .90). Incident antipsychotic prescribing occurred in 5.1% of residents and was less likely with AChEI deprescribing (adjusted odds ratio = 0.52 [0.40-0.68], P <.001]).

DISCUSSION

Deprescribing AChEIs was not associated with a worsening of aggressive behaviors or incident antipsychotic prescriptions.

The Minimum Data Set Agitated and Reactive Behavior Scale: Measuring Behaviors in Nursing Home Residents With Dementia

OBJECTIVES

Interventions aimed at managing agitated and aggressive behaviors in dementia without the use of antipsychotics are currently being tested in nursing homes (NHs). Researchers and clinicians require a measure that can capture the severity of residents' behaviors. We test the internal consistency and construct validity of the Agitated and Reactive Behavior Scale (ARBS), a measure created using data from mandatory NH assessments.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

The 2016 national sample of 15,326 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-certified NHs. The analytic sample included 489,854 new admissions and 765,367 long-stay residents (at least 90 days in NH). All participants have a dementia diagnosis.

METHODS

Minimum Data Set (MDS), version 3.0. The ARBS is a composite measure of (1) physical behavioral symptoms directed at other people; (2) verbal behavioral symptoms directed at other people; (3) other behavioral symptoms not directed at other people; and (4) rejection of care. Variables used to establish construct validity included degree of cognitive impairment, use of medications for managing agitation and aggression, and co-occurring conditions associated with agitated and aggressive behaviors (eg, schizophrenia, depression, or delirium).

RESULTS

This report has 3 important findings: (1) the ARBS score has borderline-adequate internal consistency (α = .64-.71) in the national population NH residents with dementia; (2) only 18% of new admissions and 21% of long-stay residents with dementia evidence any agitated or aggressive behaviors in the last week, as rated in the MDS assessment; and (3) the ARBS demonstrates good construct validity; it increases with cognitive impairment, treatment with relevant medications, and co-occurring psychiatric conditions and symptoms.

DISCUSSION

Nationally available MDS data may significantly underestimate the prevalence of agitated and aggressive behaviors among NH residents with dementia.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Researchers conducting pragmatic trials of non-pharmaceutical interventions to manage behaviors in NH residents with dementia should consider the likely underdetection of these behaviors in the available MDS data.

Measuring Effects of Nondrug Interventions on Behaviors: Music & Memory Pilot Study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Most people with Alzheimer disease and related dementias will experience agitated and/or aggressive behaviors during the later stages of the disease. These behaviors cause significant stress for people living with dementia and their caregivers, including nursing home (NH) staff. Addressing these behaviors without the use of chemical restraints is a growing focus of policy makers and professional organizations. Unfortunately, evidence for nonpharmacological strategies for addressing dementia-related behaviors is lacking.

DESIGN

Six-month, preintervention-postintervention pilot study.

SETTING

US NHs (n = 4).

PARTICIPANTS

Residents with advanced dementia (n = 45).

INTERVENTION

Music & Memory, an individualized music program in which the music a resident preferred when she/he was young is delivered at early signs of agitation, using a personal music player.

MEASUREMENTS

Dementia-related behaviors for the same residents were measured three ways: (1) observationally using the Agitation Behavior Mapping Instrument (ABMI); (2) staff report using the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI); and (3) administratively using the Minimum Data Set-Aggressive Behavior Scale (MDS-ABS).

RESULTS

ABMI score was 4.1 (SD = 3.0) preintervention while not listening to the music, 4.4 (SD = 2.3) postintervention while not listening to the music, and 1.6 (SD = 1.5) postintervention while listening to music (P < .01). CMAI score was 61.2 (SD = 16.3) preintervention and 51.2 (SD = 16.1) postintervention (P < .01). MDS-ABS score was 0.8 (SD = 1.6) preintervention and 0.7 (SD = 1.4) postintervention (P = .59).

CONCLUSION

Direct observations were most likely to capture behavioral responses, followed by staff interviews. Nursing-home based, pragmatic trials that rely solely on available administrative data may fail to detect effects of nonpharmaceutical interventions on behaviors. Findings are relevant to evaluations of nonpharmaceutical strategies for addressing behaviors in NHs, and will inform a large, National Institute on Aging-funded pragmatic trial beginning spring 2019. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:2134-2138, 2019.

A Concept Analysis of Resistiveness to Care

People with cognitive impairment often require assistance with activities of daily living. It is when providing assistance with these activities that many caregivers experience behaviors that have been categorized as disruptive or problematic and called resistiveness to care. These behaviors are considered to be a source of burden and job burnout for caregivers. Nurses wanting to help caregivers, who manage these trying situations, need to understand the concept of resistiveness to care and communicate this knowledge clearly with health care providers. Therefore, a literature search was conducted in 2012 within the databases CINAHL, Medline (PubMed), ProQuest, and PsychINFO. This produced 40 relevant articles. Because no concept analysis existed for resistiveness to care, a principle-based concept analysis was performed. The analysis helped construct a theoretically defined concept. Further analysis highlighted that more research is needed to advance the concept of resistiveness to care to enhance professional communication surrounding this phenomenon.

An investigation of factors predicting the type of bladder antimuscarinics initiated in Medicare nursing homes residents

Background

To examine factors predicting type of bladder antimuscarinics (BAM) initiated in nursing home (NH) residents.

Methods

Incident BAM initiators following NH admission were identified by constructing a retrospective cohort from Medicare files and Minimum Data Set (MDS). Participants included all residents 65 years and older admitted in Medicare-certified NH between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2008 who were prescribed BAM and had continuous Medicare (Part A, B, and D) enrollment. Patient characteristics, medications, and comorbidities were derived from Medicare enrollment and claims. NH characteristics and health status were derived from MDS assessments. The outcome was defined as type of BAM initiated after admission (selective, non-selective extended release, non-selective immediate release). Multinomial logistic regression using generalized estimating equation methodology determined which factors predicted the type of BAM initiated.

Results

Twelve thousand eight hundred ninety-nine NH residents initiating BAM therapy were identified; 13.38% of new users were prescribed selective BAM, 45.56% non-selective extended release, and 41.07% non-selective immediate release medications. In both sexes, significant predictors of BAM included region of nursing home, body mass index, cognitive performance score, frailty measures, activities of daily living, and measures of bladder continence. In women, history of fracture and fall-related injuries were significant predictors of type of BAM use, while race and indicators of balance were significant predictors of type of BAM use in men. Non-pharmacological continence management strategies were not predictive of type of BAM initiation.

Conclusions

Several factors are important in predicting type of BAM initiation in both women and men, but other factors are sex-specific. Some observed factors predicting the type of BAM initiated, such as other medications use, body mass index, or provider-related factors are potentially modifiable and could be used in targeted interventions to help optimize BAM use in this population.

Trial registration

Not applicable.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12877-017-0690-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Putting Residents First: Strategies Developed by CNAs to Prevent and Manage Resident-to-Resident Violence in Nursing Homes

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

Resident-to-resident violence (RRV) in nursing homes (NHs) is common and threatens the safety and quality of life of both residents and caregivers. The purpose of this portion of a larger qualitative study was to explore strategies developed by certified nurses' assistants (CNAs) to prevent and manage RRV in NHs.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Semistructured interviews were used to collect data. Data were analyzed utilizing content analysis and constant comparison.

RESULTS

Analysis revealed one overriding theme, "Putting Residents First" which the CNAs described as a conscious effort to put themselves or a beloved family member in the place of the resident while administering care. Within this theme, there were three related subthemes: (a) Knowing the Residents, (b) Keeping Residents Safe, and (c) Spending Quality Time.

IMPLICATIONS

Together, these themes suggest that the formulation of strategies for decreasing and managing RRV was influenced significantly by the ability of the CNAs to empathize with the residents for whom they were caring. The results indicate that in the absence of evidence-based interventions, CNAs have developed their own strategies for the management and prevention of RRV. These strategies may provide a foundation for the development and testing of interventions aimed at preventing and managing RRV in NHs.

Impact of dual sensory impairment on onset of behavioral symptoms in European nursing homes: results from the Services and Health for Elderly in Long-Term Care study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate if dual sensory impairment (DSI) in the form of a combined visual and hearing impairment is associated with the onset of behavioral symptoms in nursing homes.

METHODS

A total of 1524 nursing home residents without behavioral symptoms at baseline followed for 12 months in 59 nursing homes from the Czech Republic, England, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, and The Netherlands. The interRAI instrument for long-term care facilities was assessed by trained staff at baseline and 12 months later.

RESULTS

Altogether, 11% of residents had a new onset of behavioral symptoms (wandering, verbal abuse, physical abuse, socially inappropriate behavior, public disrobing, and resisting care) at 12-month follow-up. In multivariate analyses adjusted for potential confounders, DSI residents had significantly higher incidence of new behavioral symptoms at 12-month follow-up, irrespective of the severity of vision and hearing impairments [odds ratio (OR) = 2.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.3:3.4 for mild DSI, OR = 2.5, 95% CI = 1.6:4.0 for moderate DSI, and OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.2:3.7 for severe DSI] compared with residents without sensory impairment. Among the different types of symptoms, only abusive behaviors were less likely to be associated with DSI.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides evidence that DSI could play a significant role in the development of behavioral symptoms in nursing home residents. More attention should be paid to DSI even when each of vision and hearing function is only minimally impaired.

Instruments to measure behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia

Reliable and valid measurement of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) is important for research and clinical practice. Here we provide an overview of the different instruments and discuss issues involved in the choice of the most appropriate instrument to measure BPSD in research. A list of BPSD instruments was generated. For each instrument Pubmed and SCOPUS were searched for articles that reported on their use or quality. Eighty-three instruments that are used to measure BPSD were identified. Instruments differ in length and detail, whether the interview is with participants, informants or by observation, the target sample and the time frames for use. Reliability and validity is generally good, but reported in few independent samples. When choosing a BPSD instrument for research the research question should be carefully scrutinised and the symptoms of interest, population, quality, detail, time frame and practical issues should be considered.

Resident-to-resident violence triggers in nursing homes

Certified nurses' assistants (CNAs) employed by a rural nursing home in Northeast Arkansas described their perceptions of resident-to-resident violence in order to provide insight on factors, including unmet needs, that may trigger the phenomenon. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 11 CNAs. Data were analyzed using content analysis and constant comparison. Two categories of triggers emerged from the data-active and passive. Active triggers involved the actions of other residents that were intrusive in nature, such as wandering into a residents' personal space, taking a resident's belongings, and so forth. Passive triggers did not involve the actions of residents but related to the internal and external environment of the residents. Examples were factors such as boredom, competition for attention and communication difficulties. Results indicate that there are factors, including unmet needs within the nursing home environment that may be identified and altered to prevent violence between residents.

Risks and benefits of bladder antimuscarinics among elderly residents of Veterans Affairs Community Living Centers

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate risks and benefits of bladder antimuscarinics (BAMs) among elderly long term care nursing home residents.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study using a new user design and propensity score matching.

SETTING

Veterans Affairs (VA) Community Living Centers (Nursing Homes).

PARTICIPANTS

Older adults (65 and older) admitted for long term care between October 1, 2002, and September 30, 2009.

MEASUREMENTS

The study used multiple VA data sources (Minimum Data Set [MDS], inpatient, outpatient, and pharmacy prescriptions administrative files). The following outcomes were evaluated: (1) fractures (hip fracture and "any" fracture) identified from inpatient and/or outpatient data (ICD-9-CM codes) and from MDS; (2) cognitive performance measured using the validated MDS Cognitive Performance Scale; (3) improvement in urinary incontinence measured from MDS; (4) quality of life measured from MDS using 2 validated instruments: Index of Social Engagement and Health Status Index. Covariates included demographic characteristics, baseline continence status (bladder and bowel) and continence management, preexistent urinary tract infections, body mass index, comorbidities, other medication use, cognitive status, and mobility at baseline. These variables were used to calculate the predicted probability (propensity score) of being initiated on a BAM; the resulting propensity scores were used to match new users and nonusers. Outcomes were compared with Cox proportional hazards regression and generalized estimating equations methodology.

RESULTS

BAMs were used by 9.8% of the residents 65 years and older admitted for long term care; 44% (1195) were new users. Of these, all but 53 received nonselective immediate release preparations, predominantly oxybutynin chloride (75%). BAM initiation resulted in improved urinary continence status (odds ratio = 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07-1.5) and better social engagement (difference in mean index of social engagement score = 0.2074, 95% CI 0.055-0.3598). The risk of fractures was significantly increased in new users as compared to nonusers (hip fracture: hazard ratio [HR] = 3.67, 95% CI 1.46-9.34; "any" fracture: HR = 2.64, 95% CI 1.37-5.10). The number needed to treat (NNT) to obtain improvement in urinary incontinence after 90 days of treatment (NNT = 32, 95% CI 17-125) was similar to the number needed to harm (NNH) at 90 days in the hip fracture analysis (NNH = 36, 95% CI 12-209). There were no differences in cognitive performance or overall quality of life scores associated with BAM use.

CONCLUSION

These results question the continued use of BAMs, particularly immediate-release oxybutynin chloride in elderly nursing home residents.

Victim or initiator? Certified nursing assistants' perceptions of resident characteristics that contribute to resident-to-resident violence in nursing homes

The purpose of this portion of a larger qualitative study was to explore certified nursing assistants' (CNAs) perceptions of the characteristics of both the victims and initiators of resident-to-resident violence (RRV) to identify resident characteristics that influence development of RRV. Findings gained from semi-structured interviews revealed that CNAs perceive initiators of RRV to be "more with it" and to have "strong personalities," a "short fuse," and "life history" that make them prone to inflict harm on other residents. CNAs described victims of RRV using phrases such as, "they don't know," "can't communicate," and "gets around good." The results also revealed that, in some situations, residents who were usually even tempered might strike out with violence if exposed to triggers over time. This study provides the first detailed description of nursing home residents who initiate violence against other residents. Knowledge gained from this study may be useful in generating models of RRV-a precursor to developing interventions for its prevention.

Benefits and challenges of electronic surveillance in nursing home research

Cognitive impairment and frailty associated with dementia renders residents of long-term care (LTC) facilities particularly vulnerable to physical and emotional harm. Resident-to-resident violence affects not only the target of the aggression, but also the aggressor, as well as the formal and informal caregivers who must intervene. To date, little research has been conducted on resident-to-resident violence despite preliminary but emerging evidence that it is a common (and likely growing) problem in LTC settings. Exploration of this phenomenon presents multiple pragmatic and ethical challenges. This article presents a rationale for implementing newer technological methods to collect data in investigations of resident-to-resident violence associated with dementia. The advantages and disadvantages of electronic surveillance in LTC research and the ethical principles involved are discussed, and an argument is developed for using electronic surveillance in both the shared, as well as private, spaces of the facility.

The basis for improving and reforming long-term care. Part 4: identifying meaningful improvement approaches (segment 1)

While many aspects of nursing home care have improved over time, numerous issues persist. Presently, a potpourri of approaches and a push to "fix" the problem have overshadowed efforts to correctly define the issues and identify their diverse causes. Together, the two segments of this fourth and final article (divided between this month's issue and the next one) in the series identify strategies that should tie reform efforts together. This Segment 1 of Article 4 discusses the need to judge initiatives and proposals by how well they support and/or promote critical elements such as the care delivery process and clinical problem solving and decision making activities. It also covers the need to critically scrutinize and modify the conventional wisdom and to suppress "political correctness" thatcontinues to inhibit vital critical inquiry and dialogue that are needed to define issues correctly and make further progress. Ultimately, relatively uncomplicated and inexpensive strategies have the potential to bring dramatic progress. But there needs to be more willingness to rethink the issues and reconsider current approaches.

The course of behavioral problems in elderly nursing home patients with dementia when treated with antipsychotics

BACKGROUND

Although antipsychotic treatment of behavioral problems in dementia is common, studies investigating the course of these symptoms in nursing homes are scarce. Our primary objective is therefore to describe the course of behavioral problems during antipsychotic treatment in a large sample of elderly nursing home patients with dementia.

METHODS

The course of behavioral problems during antipsychotic treatment was studied by comparing the characteristics of patients before, during and after antipsychotic treatment. The study was conducted using the VURAIDB, a database with over 40,000 assessments of over 10,000 nursing home residents in the Netherlands. We used the Challenging Behavior Profile (CBP) to measure an overall behavior score.

RESULTS

In total, 556 patients starting with antipsychotics were studied. Of these, 101 (18.2%) improved and 260 (46.8%) deteriorated at three months on the behavior score, compared with their scores before therapy (z = -7.955; P<0.0001). Patients with severe challenging behavior showed improvement more often than patients with mild disturbances. The course of behavioral symptoms after withdrawal was evaluated in 520 patients. Of these patients, 352 (68%) remained stable or improved at 3 months compared with their scores before withdrawal (z = -0.697; p = 0.486), this figure was 58% at 6 months after withdrawal (z = -2.77; p = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

During treatment of nursing home residents with dementia with antipsychotics the severity of most behavioral problems continues to increase in most patients, with only one out of six patients showing improvement. After withdrawal of antipsychotics, behavioral problems remained stable or improved in 58% of patients.

Status of diabetes management in the nursing home setting in 2008: a retrospective chart review and epidemiology study of diabetic nursing home residents and nursing home initiatives in diabetes management

PURPOSE

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and can present with atypical signs and symptoms in elderly residents of nursing homes who often have altered functional and cognitive capacity representing a particularly challenging population to manage. Researchers conducted this study to better understand the current status of DM management in the long-term care facility from the perspective of the facility (use of guidelines, policies, and so forth) as well as that of a resident.

METHODS

Thirteen nursing home facilities in 6 states were studied. A 13-question survey instrument was used to collect data from interviews of the directors of nursing and medical directors. A 26-question data collection form was also used to perform a retrospective chart review of studied residents.

RESULTS

Data from the interview surveys showed that only 15% of facilities studied had a policy for the use of treatment algorithms to manage residents with DM. In addition, only 1 of 13 facilities had a quality improvement tool to evaluate compliance with current policies. In regard to hemoglobin A1C (A1C) testing, only 7.1% of facilities had a house policy in place. Furthermore, only 1% of studied residents had an established target for their A1C despite American Diabetes Association (ADA), American Geriatrics Society (AGS), and American Medical Directors Association (AMDA) guidelines recommending target values and monitoring frequency for A1C testing. The survey instrument also found that just 30.8% of facilities had a policy in place for blood glucose monitoring. Data from the chart review shows that only 57% of residents in this study were taking aspirin or clopidogel bisulfate, although prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA) and ADA in persons with diabetes who are older than 40. Data from this study indicate serious hypoglycemia occurs only occasionally in the nursing home because hypoglycemic episodes requiring hospitalization occurred in only 1% of studied residents. Furthermore, researchers found each of these residents were sent to the hospital only once in the preceding 6 months. One unanticipated finding of the study reports the incidence of delusions from patients' Minimum Data Set (MDS) was 87.63% compared with the national average of 3.7%.

CONCLUSION

Data obtained through this study demonstrates numerous opportunities for improvement in the quality of care for nursing home residents with DM. A multidisciplinary approach is required to properly manage this complex disease in a challenging elderly population. The development of protocols and tools that embrace the latest strategies and treatment algorithms for the management of DM in the geriatric resident are necessary, while implementation of a quality improvement tool can help facilities to further improve on management of DM in the long-term care setting.

Resident-to-resident aggression in long-term care facilities: insights from focus groups of nursing home residents and staff

OBJECTIVES

To more fully characterize the spectrum of resident-to-resident aggression (RRA).

DESIGN

A focus group study of nursing home staff members and residents who could reliably self-report.

SETTING

A large, urban, long-term care facility.

PARTICIPANTS

Seven residents and 96 staff members from multiple clinical and nonclinical occupational groups.

MEASUREMENTS

Sixteen focus groups were conducted. Content was analyzed using nVivo 7 software for qualitative data.

RESULTS

Thirty-five different types of physical, verbal, and sexual RRA were described, with screaming or yelling being the most common. Calling out and making noise were the most frequent of 29 antecedents identified as instigating episodes of RRA. RRA was most frequent in dining and residents' rooms, and in the afternoon, although it occurred regularly throughout the facility at all times. Although no proven strategies exist to manage RRA, staff described 25 self-initiated techniques to address the problem.

CONCLUSION

RRA is a ubiquitous phenomenon in nursing home settings, with important consequences for affected individuals and facilities. Further epidemiological research is necessary to more fully describe the phenomenon and identify risk factors and preventative strategies.

Resident-to-Resident Aggression in Long-Term Care Facilities: An Understudied Problem

Resident-to-resident aggression (RRA) between long-term care residents includes negative and aggressive physical, sexual, or verbal interactions that in a community setting would likely be construed as unwelcome and have high potential to cause physical or psychological distress in the recipient. Although this problem potentially has high incidence and prevalence and serious consequences for aggressors and victims, it has received little direct attention from researchers to date. This article reviews the limited available literature on this topic as well as relevant research from related areas including: resident violence toward nursing home staff, aggressive behaviors by elderly persons, and community elder abuse. We present hypothesized risk factors for aggressor, victim, and nursing home environment, including issues surrounding cognitive impairment. We discuss methodological challenges to studying RRA and offer suggestions for future research. Finally, we describe the importance of designing effective interventions, despite the lack currently available, and suggest potential areas of future research.