Out-of-home care in childhood and biomedical risk factors in middle-age: National birth cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: With there being an apparent impact of experience of out-of-home care in childhood on chronic disease and mortality, we examined how such adversity might be embodied such that it has a measurable impact on human biology, so mediating this relationship. METHODS: We used data from the UK National Child Development Study in which exposure to public care was prospectively gathered on three occasions up to age 16. Study members also participated in a social survey at age 42 and a clinical examination at age 44/45 when cardiovascular, inflammatory, neuroendocrine, and respiratory risk markers for mortality were collected, 19 of which were included as endpoints in the present analyses. RESULTS: Of the 8012 participants in the biomedical survey, 4% (n = 322) had been in care at some point in childhood and/or adolescence. We found the expected marked differences in the early life characteristics of poverty, health, and disability in children with experience of public care relative to their unexposed counterparts. After controlling for these confounding factors, however, care in childhood was essentially unrelated to biomarkers in middle-age. We also found no consistent links between these biomarkers and the duration, timing, or type of care. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the biomarkers captured in the present study are unlikely to mediate the link between public care in childhood and later chronic disease or mortality. Processes involving mental health, socioeconomic position, and health behaviors would seem to be a potential alternative pathway warranting investigation.

Nursing diagnoses in a home-based program: cross-mapping and NANDA-I Taxonomy.

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.

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.

[Stability of home based care arrangements for people with dementia : Development of a consensus definition of stability using expert focus groups]. / Stabilität von häuslichen Versorgungsarrangements für Menschen mit Demenz : Entwicklung und Konsentierung einer Definition von Stabilität durch Expertenfokusgruppen.

BACKGROUND: The majority of people with dementia in Germany live at home. These informal care arrangements, which are mostly coordinated by informal carers, are the backbone of home-based dementia care. Creating and maintaining stability is an underlying theme in informal care; however, a definition of the complex phenomenon of 'stability' in this context is still lacking. AIM: The aim was to develop a working definition of stability of home-based care arrangements for people with dementia, which can be applied in current and future research projects at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Witten (DZNE Witten) and others. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ensuing from prior research a preliminary version of the definition was formulated. This definition was discussed in a focus group of scientific experts with expertise in dementia research and care (n = 8). After data analysis using content analysis, the definition was revised during a scientific colloquium (n = 18) and a consensus was finally reached. RESULTS: There were four major themes which were considered by the experts as being relevant for the definition of stability: (1) creating and maintaining stability as a continuous adaptation process, (2) a qualitative component of stability, (3) persons with dementia and informal carers as pivotal players and (4) transitions to residential care. CONCLUSION: The working definition introduced in this article reflects the authors' understanding of the phenomenon of stability of home-based care arrangements for people with dementia. In times of increasing need for evidence-based interventions it is necessary to develop elaborated definitions of complex phenomena in order to be able to systematically evaluate the efficacy of interventions on the basis of a common understanding.

[Weaning from mechanical ventilation. Weaning categories and weaning concepts]. / Entwöhnung von der mechanischen Beatmung. Weaningkategorien und Weaningkonzepte.

The international classification of three weaning categories (simple weaning, difficult weaning, prolonged weaning) has been modified in the German weaning guidelines: the group of prolonged weaning has been subclassified into weaning without noninvasive ventilation (NIV), weaning with NIV, if necessary with continuing NIV in the form of home mechanical ventilation, and weaning failure.Strategies to prevent prolonged weaning comprise daily interruption of sedation, daily screening of capability of spontaneous breathing by a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) and early implementation of NIV instead of continuing invasive mechanical ventilation especially in hypercapnic patients. The comorbidity left heart failure plays a major role in weaning failure and need for re-intubation-in this case early diagnosis and if necessary modification of heart therapy are important.Specialised weaning-centres offer the option for successful weaning for about 50-60 % of patients declared as unweanable by usual intensive care units. A multimodal therapy concept with respiratory therapists, physiotherapists and speech therapy is necessary to reach this goal. In case of weaning failure a professional discharge management to invasive home mechanical ventilation is important. Competent care by physicians in the out-of-hospital area is restricted by the sectoral division of responsibility by the German health care system. Improvement in this area is urgently needed.

Models of home care services for persons with dementia: a narrative review.

BACKGROUND: Worldwide trends of increasing dementia prevalence, have put economic and workforce pressures to shifting care for persons with dementia from residential care to home care. METHODS: We reviewed the effects of the four dominant models of home care delivery on outcomes for community-dwelling persons with dementia. These models are: case management, integrated care, consumer directed care, and restorative care. This narrative review describes benefits and possible drawbacks for persons with dementia outcomes and elements that comprise successful programs. RESULTS: Case management for persons with dementia may increase use of community-based services and delay nursing home admission. Integrated care is associated with greater client satisfaction, increased use of community based services, and reduced hospital days however the clinical impacts on persons with dementia and their carers are not known. Consumer directed care increases satisfaction with care and service usage, but had little effect on clinical outcomes. Restorative models of home care have been shown to improve function and quality of life however these trials have excluded persons with dementia, with the exception of a pilot study. CONCLUSIONS: There has been a little research into models of home care for people with dementia, and no head-to-head comparison of the different models. Research to inform evidence-based policy and service delivery for people with dementia needs to evaluate both the impact of different models on outcomes, and investigate how to best deliver these models to maximize outcomes.

Using nursing intervention classification in an advance practice registered nurse-led preventive model for adults aging with developmental disabilities.

PURPOSE: To describe the most frequently reported and the most central nursing interventions in an advance practice registered nurse (APRN)-led in-home preventive intervention model for adults aging with developmental disabilities using the Nursing Intervention Classification (NIC) system. METHODS: A descriptive data analysis and a market basket analysis were conducted on de-identified nominal nursing intervention data from two home visits conducted by nurse practitioners (NPs) from October 2010 to June 2012 for 80 community-dwelling adults with developmental disabilities, ages 29 to 68 years. RESULTS: The mean number of NIC interventions was 4.7 in the first visit and 6.0 in the second visit and last visit. NPs reported 45 different intervention types as classified using a standardized language, with 376 in Visit One and 470 in Visit Two. Approximately 85% of the sample received the Health education intervention. The market basket analysis revealed common pairs, triples, and quadruple sets of interventions in this preventive model. The NIC nursing interventions that occurred together repeatedly were: Health education, Weight management, Nutrition management, Health screening, and Behavior management. CONCLUSIONS: Five NIC interventions form the basis of an APRN-led preventive intervention model for individuals aging with lifelong disability, with health education as the most common intervention, combined with interventions to manage weight and nutrition, promote healthy behaviors, and encourage routine health screening. Less frequently reported NIC interventions suggest the need to tailor prevention to individual needs, whether acute or chronic. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: APRNs employing prevention among adults aging with developmental disabilities must anticipate the need to focus on health education strategies for health promotion and prevention as well as tailor and target a patient-centered approach to support self-management of health to promote healthy aging in place. These NIC interventions serve not only as a guide for planning preventive interventions, but for designing nursing curricula to reduce health disparities among people with varying learning needs.

Effects of the Resident Assessment Instrument in home care settings: results of a cluster randomized controlled trial.

Deficits in quality, a lack of professional process management and, most importantly, neglect of outcome quality are criticized in long-term care. A cluster randomized, controlled trial was conducted to assess whether the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) can help to improve or stabilize functional abilities (ADL, IADL) and cognitive skills (MMST), improve quality of life (EQ-5D), and reduce institutionalization, thereby, increasing outcome quality. A total of 69 home care services throughout Germany were included and randomized. The treatment group (n = 36) received training in RAI and was supported by the research team during the study (13 months). Comparison of mean differences between the treatment and control groups (n = 33) showed no significant effect. Although the multilevel regression results show that clients in the treatment group fared better in terms of ADLs and IADLs (smaller decline) and were less likely to move to nursing homes and be hospitalized, none of these effects is significant. The lack of significance might result from the small number of clients included in the study. Moreover, RAI was not fully implemented and even partial implementation required more time than expected.

[Progressive supranuclear palsy: living environment of the patients in Germany]. / Progressive supranukleäre Blickparese : Lebensumstände der Patienten in Deutschland.

The living environment of patients suffering from progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) has attracted little interest so far. The aim of this study was to record environmental factors and patient care structures of PSP patients in Germany. In light of this aim 100 questionnaires consisting of 28 questions were distributed in the journal PSP-Rundschau (PSP Review) in February 2009. Up to August 2009, 69 completed questionnaires had been received for evaluation. The main results were a long period up to diagnosis (3.33 ± 2.5 years) and early clinical symptoms noted by many patients which could be used for the differential diagnosis between PSP and Parkinson's disease. In 87% of the cases the patients were cared for by relatives at home mostly without professional nursing home care.It is hoped that this investigation has shed more insight into the life and disease-related symptoms of patients with PSP and can provide valuable information for the understanding and treatment of this devastating disease.

[Developing and testing quality indicators of home care in Switzerland]. / Entwicklung und Erprobung von Qualitätsindikatoren für die ambulante Pflege in der Schweiz.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to develop and examine quality indicators of home care in Switzerland using the Swiss version of the RAI-HC (Resident Assessment Instrument Home Care). The quality indicators are part of the quality management strategy of the 'Spitex Verband Schweiz', the organisation of Swiss home care institutions. METHODS: The study consisted of four steps. First, a set of potential quality indicators was operationalised. For this purpose, already defined indicators of the North American version of RAI-HC were adopted, also additional indicators based on the Swiss RAI-HC were developed. In a second step, the changeability, practicability and relevance of these quality indicators were judged by home care professionals using a group consensus method (nominal group technique). Third, based on a sample of 1808 clients from a total of 45 Swiss home care organisations, the quality indicators were empirically tested with regard to sample frequencies (incidences and prevalences) and between-group variance. Fourth, the interrater reliability of the quality indicators was assessed. RESULTS: A total of 29 potential home care quality indicators was developed. Based on the results of the three sub-studies (rating by experts, frequencies/variation and interrater reliability), a core-set of 19 quality indicators was defined which can be recommended for quality measurement in home care settings of Switzerland. CONCLUSIONS: The Swiss version of RAI-HC provides a viable instrument for measuring quality of home care. The application of consistent assessment rules should be improved.

The history of quality measurement in home health care.

Quality improvement is as central to home health care as to any other field of health care. With the mandated addition in 2000 of Outcome Assessment and Information Set (OASIS) and outcome-based quality improvement (OBQI), Medicare home health agencies entered a new era of documenting, tracking, and systematically improving quality. OBQI is augmented by the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) program, which is now entering the ninth in a series of work assignments, with the tenth scope in the planning stages. Evidence has shown that applied quality improvement methods can drive better outcomes using important metrics, such as acute care hospitalization. This article reviews key findings from the past 2 decades of home care quality improvement research and public policy advances, describes specific examples of local and regional programmatic approaches to quality improvement, and forecasts near-future trends in this vital arena of home health care.

Differences in services provided by hospices based on home health agency certification status.

BACKGROUND: Similar patient populations and favorable regulations have led many home health agencies to become Medicare and/or Medicaid certified as hospice agencies (mixed), but home health and hospice programs differ in focus and scope. Little research has been performed examining the differences between mixed hospices and those agencies only certified as hospices (nonmixed). OBJECTIVES: To describe the differences in agency characteristics between mixed and nonmixed agencies; and to compare frequencies of service provision by mixed and nonmixed agencies. RESEARCH DESIGN: Cross-sectional study using data from the 2000 National Home and Hospice Care Survey. SUBJECTS: A total of 760 Medicare and/or Medicaid certified hospice agencies providing services during the survey, including 393 mixed agencies (52% of sample) and 367 nonmixed hospices. MEASURES: Survey responses by administrators about services provided by agency. RESULTS: Nonmixed agencies were significantly more likely than mixed agencies to provide many types of services, including: volunteers [96.1% vs. 77.4%, respectively; odds ratio (OR): 7.27; 95% confidence interval (CI): 5.26-10.05], social services (96.1% vs. 93.5%; OR: 1.70; 95% CI: 1.20-2.40), spiritual care (95.1% vs. 77.8%; OR: 5.53; 95% CI: 4.13-7.41), bereavement care (93.5% vs. 79.8%; OR: 3.63; 95% CI: 2.80-4.72), counseling (89.5% vs. 70.2%; OR: 3.62; 95% CI: 2.92-4.48), and physician services (87.2% vs. 52.0%; OR: 6.30; 95% CI: 5.18-7.66). In logistic regression models, these differences remained significant after adjustment for census region, operation by a hospital, number of patients and number of hospice patients, and Medicare and Medicaid hospice certification status. CONCLUSIONS: Mixed agencies provide a narrower range of services to hospice patients than nonmixed agencies, including fewer services considered cornerstones of hospice treatment.

Automatic home nursing activity recommendation.

The rapid deployment of Web-based, consumer-centric electronic medical records (CEMRs) is an important trend in healthcare. In this paper, we incorporate nursing knowledge into CEMR so that it can automatically recommend home nursing activities (HNAs). Those more complex HNAs are made clickable for users to find detailed implementation procedures. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our techniques using USMLE medical exam cases.

The development of integration mobile-based home care support systems: MDS-HC as an example.

The MDS-HC (Minimum Data Set for Home Care Assessment Instrument) has been an effective home care evaluation instrument. However it was not yet accepted in Taiwan because it is too long for our over-burdened home care nurses. We developed integrated mobile-based home care support system using MDS-HC. The results showed that an integration mobile-based system can increase efficiency and reduce manual work.

A study of core interventions in home nursing.

AIM: To gain insight into the core interventions in home nursing. METHODS: In this descriptive, quantitative, cross-sectional study two questionnaires, based on the nursing interventions classification, were used to collect data from 501 nurses working in an organization for home nursing in Belgium. Response rate was 88%. RESULTS: The self-care assistance, (im)mobility and (psycho)social interventions are the most frequently performed interventions in home nursing, but they are performed and can only be interpreted in combination with other, more technical interventions. Therefore, these interventions can be considered the core interventions in home nursing.