13 emergency problems in older people

Psychometric evaluation of the Decision Support System (DSS) for municipal nurses encountering health deterioration among older adults

BACKGROUND

A valid and reliable tool is crucial for municipal registered nurses (RNs) to make quick decisions in older adults who show rapid signs of health deterioration. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Decision Support System (DSS) among older adults in the municipal healthcare system.

METHODS

Firstly, we utilized the Rasch dichotomous model to analyze the DSS assessments (n=281) that were collected from municipal RNs working with older adults in the municipal healthcare system. We examined the properties of the DSS in terms of its unidimensionality, item fit, and separation indices. Secondly, to investigate inter-rater agreement in using the DSS, four experienced municipal RNs used the DSS to assess 60 health deterioration scenarios presented by one human patient simulators. The 60 DSS assessments were then analyzed using the ICC (2,1), percentage agreement, and Cohen κ statistics.

RESULTS

The sample of older adults had a mean age of 82.8 (SD 11.7). The DSS met the criteria for unidimensionality, although two items did not meet the item fit statistics when all the DSS items were analyzed together. The person separation index was 0.47, indicating a limited level of separation among the sample. The item separation index was 11.43, suggesting that the DSS has good ability to discriminate between and separate the items. At the overall DSS level, inter-rater agreements were good according to the ICC. At the individual DSS item level, the percentage agreements were 75% or above, while the Cohen κ statistics ranged from 0.46 to 1.00.

CONCLUSIONS

The Rasch analysis revealed that the psychometric properties of the instrument were acceptable, although further research with a larger sample size and more items is needed. The DSS has the potential to assist municipal RNs in making clinical decisions regarding health deterioration in older adults, thereby avoiding unnecessary emergency admistion and helping.

Health Emergencies, Falls, and Use of Communication Technologies by Older People with Functional and Social Frailty: Ageing in Place in Deprived Areas of Italy

Frail older people ageing alone in place need help to perform daily living activities, especially when functional limitations are increasing and formal/informal supports are lacking. This context represents a risk of experiencing health emergencies, in particular falls. It is thus important to understand how seniors manage these potential difficulties and who helps them. The present study aimed to explore these dimensions in Italy, where 120 qualitative interviews were carried out in 2019 within the "Inclusive ageing in place" (IN-AGE) research project, involving frail older people living alone at home. A content analysis was conducted. Results showed that seniors need to manage health emergencies regarding heart and breathing problems but mainly episodes of falls are reported, with consequent fractures and fear of falling again. In several cases, the use of a mobile phone was crucial in order to seek for help, and the first to intervene were children, in addition to some neighbors. Some seniors also referred their ability to call independently the General Practitioner (GP) or the emergency room, in order to not disturb family members. These findings highlight new useful insights for policy makers, regarding health emergencies prevention and management measures to put in place, especially concerning falls, and the support provided by communication technologies.

Physician Perceptions of Disposition Decision-making for Older Adults in the Emergency Department: A Preliminary Analysis

Disposition decision-making in the emergency department (ED) is critical to patient safety and quality of care. Disposition decision-making has particularly important implications for older adults who comprise a significant portion of ED visits annually and are vulnerable to suboptimal outcomes throughout ED care transitions. We conducted a secondary inductive content analysis of interviews with ED physicians (N= 11) to explore their perceptions of who they involve in disposition decision-making and what information they use to make disposition decisions for older adults. ED physicians cited 7 roles (5 types of clinicians, patients and families) and 11 information types, both clinical (e.g. test/lab results) and non-clinical (e.g. family's preference). Our preliminary findings represent a key first step toward the development of interventions that promote patient safety and quality of care for older adults in the ED by supporting the cognitive and communicative aspects of disposition decision-making.

The fragmented story of pain: a saga of economic discourse, confusion and lack of holistic assessment in the residential care of older people

The long-standing problem of overlooked and/or undertreated pain experienced by so many older people living in Australian residential care facilities condemns these people to a life robbed of quality. Such a degree of suffering experienced by older people calls into question the pain assessment skills of staff who work in residential care. However, the problem of undetected and unresolved pain experienced by older people is not simply a skill or knowledge issue. It is much broader than that. In this paper we portray pain as likened to a story; a narrative that only the older person, as the author, can impart and one in which only they can communicate their experience of pain. Nevertheless, as opposed to seeking the older person's pain narrative, nurses attempt to measure the immeasurable. In part, their actions relate to the confusing terminology which envelops pain assessment. However, political policy and economic discourse also influences nurses' pain assessment practises to the detriment of older people and the profession of gerontological nursing. Discussion in this paper includes the experience of pain for the older person, an overview of the specific role of pain-screening tools compared with the requirements of a person-centred pain assessment, and person-centred pathways to help nurses and others interpret and heed the older person's pain story. Analysis also incorporates the argument that current and previous Federal Government funding tools for residential care subtly impact on holistic pain assessment causing confusion for caregivers and fragmentation of the older person's pain story.

Resident condition change: should I call 911?

Identifiers of illness, including catastrophic change, are based on a set of assumptions that are not always true or accurate for older adults. Atypical findings in combination with the more subtle or different presentation of illness can result in missed opportunities for early treatment and prevention of more dire consequences. Assessment instruments described in this article can guide the investigation and communication of a resident's change in status: SPICES (Sleep; Problems with Eating and Feeding; Incontinence; Confusion; Evidence of Falls; Skin Breakdown), FANCAPES (Fluid; Aeration; Nutrition; Cognition/Communication; Activity/Abilities; Pain; Elimination; Skin/Socialization), DELIRIUM (Drug use: Electrolyte imbalance; Lack of scheduled meds; Infection; Reduced sensory input; Intracranial problems; Urinary problems; Myocardial problems), PQRST (Provokes/Palliates; Quality/Quantity; Region/Radiates; Severity; Timing) and COLDSPA (Character; Onset; Location; Duration; Severity; Pattern; Associated Symptoms), (for pain assessment). "Should I call?" scenarios are described using case studies. A systematic approach to assessment, recognition of change in functional status, protocols to guide calling for emergency assistance, and structured communication are essential elements of early recognition of illness, can reduce caregiver anxiety, and improve the health care outcomes for the resident. Imagine you or one of your staff standing in the dining room of your residence and looking at the residents for whose health and well-being you are responsible. Could you spot someone who was not doing well? Who might be ailing? If you saw 2 residents who looked ill, whom would you assess first? How would you decide? Identification of illness, including catastrophic change, is based on a set of assumptions that are not always true for older adults and can result in a set of findings that does not fit with our conventional understanding and knowledge of illness presentation. All too often, these atypical findings in combination with the more subtle presentation of illness in older adults results in missed opportunities for early treatment. A systematic approach to assessment, recognition of change, protocols to guide calling for emergency assistance, and communication with other health care providers are essential elements of early recognition of illness that can decrease health care provider anxiety and improve outcomes. This article describes 2 evidence-based assessment instruments: the SPICES tool, which should be used routinely as a first-line method for recognizing change and preventing deepening complications or acute illness, and the FANCAPES tool, which evaluates change in condition. In addition, several acronyms that can guide symptom assessment are provided. Immediately life-threatening conditions and 3 "don't miss" signs of emergencies are discussed, as are nursing interventions for the geriatric emergency. "Should I call?" scenarios are presented in a table that includes common signs and symptoms and recommended nursing actions of who to call. Two case studies illustrate the assessment instruments and analysis of data. Basic information that should be included in a transfer document is described. The article includes a communication model known as SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) that can be implemented and used by all staff of the assisted living residence.

Emergency service use by older people in Samsun, Turkey

During the first 50 years of the 21st century, the world population aged 65 and older is expected to triple. Proper care of the older patient is one of the major priorities of many health care systems. In this descriptive study, patients treated and transported by 112 Emergency Help and Rescue Service in Samsun Province during the year 2004 were surveyed through review of command center records. All patients who were 65 years of age and older were included in the study. Collected data included patient sex and age, number of patients accessing emergency medical service (EMS) per hours of the day and per season, clinical diagnosis, and patient outcomes. In all, 2210 patients aged 65 years and older were identified; this group accounted for 24.5% of all records reviewed (n=9015). The rate of EMS use was highest in those older than 65 years of age (26 of 1000/y). Similar associations of ambulance transportation with older age and off-hour presentation were noted, as was increased usage during colder months of the year. Cardiovascular, neurologic, and respiratory problems were the 3 most frequent reasons for use of EMS. In almost three fourths of cases, outcome was recorded as transport to the hospital. Data presented here highlight the need for continued monitoring of EMS usage patterns so that planners will be prepared to accommodate the needs of the increasingly aging population.