Development and validation of a delirium risk prediction model using a modified version of the Delirium Elderly at Risk (mDEAR) screen in hospitalized patients aged 65 and older: A medical record review.

Most delirium risk prediction models are cumbersome to use, time consuming to complete, and require education ensure accuracy. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a risk prediction model using routinely assessed risk factors predictive of delirium including: cognitive impairment, ≥80-years old, functional dependence, sensory impairment, and chronic substance use. This retrospective study included 7999 encounters of hospitalized patients aged 65-years or older admitted from 1/1/2019 to 12/31/2019. Various models were compared, with the best tested for validation. A model, where cognitive impairment was worth 2-points and a threshold of 3-points to predict delirium, was determined to be the best model and was validated with an area-under Receiver-Operating-Characteristic curve=0.7126. Management of delirium could be enhanced by integrating a nursing admission delirium risk screening process into the workflow, triggering initiation of prevention interventions and prompt assessment for signs and symptoms of delirium for those at high risk.

Revalidation of a Perioperative Risk Assessment Measure for Skin.

BACKGROUND: Validated perioperative pressure injury (PI) risk assessment measures are few and often cumbersome to complete, leading to missed opportunities to identify and target prevention interventions to those patients at increased risk for developing a postsurgical PI. OBJECTIVES: Previous validation of a six-item perioperative risk assessment measure for skin (PRAMS) was conducted in our community hospital with positive findings. The purpose of this study was to increase generalizability by revalidating the PRAMS in a larger sample. METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review of all surgical patients aged ≥18 years positioned in the supine or lateral position in a Midwest quaternary care, multispecialty, 1,500-bed hospital during a 6-month period (n = 1,526). The intent of the study was to revalidate the PRAMS. The main outcome of interest was the development of PI after surgery. Risk indicators of interest included diabetes, age, surgical time, Braden score, previous surgery, and preexisting PI. The diagnostic ability of any of the risk indicators on the development of a postsurgical PI was evaluated using sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values. RESULTS: Postsurgical PIs occurred in 121 patients. Comparing current to previous study results, the PRAMS was effective in identifying surgical patients at risk for PI (sensitivity = .98). Those patients with a postsurgical PI had a lower mean Braden score, were more likely to have a preexisting PI, and were more likely to have a previous surgery during the same admission (p < .001 for all risk indicators), comparing favorably to the original study. Patients without risk indicators were unlikely to develop a postsurgical PI (negative predictive value = .98). DISCUSSION: Results of this validation study demonstrate that the PRAMS is effective in identifying patients who developed a postsurgical PI using information readily available to the perioperative staff.

Nursing care of fragility fracture patients.

The challenge of caring for patients with fragility fractures is particularly acute for nursing teams who are in short supply and work with patients following fracture on a 24 h basis, coordinating as well as providing complex care. This paper considers the role of nurses within the orthogeriatric team and highlights the value of effective nursing care in patient outcomes. It explores the nature of nursing for patients with fragility fracture with a focus on the provision of safe and effective care and the coordination of care across the interdisciplinary team. It also highlights the need for specific skills in orthopaedic and geriatric nursing as well as specialist education.

Developing and Testing an International Audit of Nursing Quality Indicators for Older Adults With Fragility Hip Fracture.

BACKGROUND: Fragility hip fracture in older adults often has poor outcomes, but these outcomes can be improved with attention to specific quality care indicators. PURPOSE: The International Collaboration of Orthopaedic Nursing (ICON) developed an audit process to identify the extent to which internationally accepted nursing quality care indicators for older adults with fragility hip fracture are reflected in policies, protocols, and processes guiding acute care. METHODS: A data abstraction tool was created for each of 12 quality indicators. Data were collected using a mixed-methods approach with unstructured rounds. A rationale document providing evidence for the quality indicators and a user evaluation form were included with the audit tool. A purposeful sample of 35 acute care hospitals representing 7 countries was selected. RESULTS: Thirty-five hospitals (100%) completed the survey. Respondents viewed the content as relevant and applicable for the defined patient population. Although timing and frequency of implementation varied among and within countries, the identified quality indicators were reflected in the majority of policies, protocols, or processes guiding care in the hospitals surveyed. CONCLUSION: Developing and testing an audit of nurse-sensitive quality indicators for older adults with fragility hip fracture demonstrate international consensus on common core best practices to ensure optimal acute care.

A Nurse-Initiated Perioperative Pressure Injury Risk Assessment and Prevention Protocol.

Pressure injuries negatively affect patients physically, emotionally, and economically. Studies report that pressure injuries occur in 69% of inpatients who have undergone a surgical procedure while hospitalized. In 2012, we created a nurse-initiated, perioperative pressure injury risk assessment measure for our midwestern, urban, adult teaching hospital. We retrospectively applied the risk assessment to a random sample of 350 surgical patients which validated the measure. The prospective use of the risk assessment and prevention measures in 350 surgical patients resulted in a 60% reduction in pressure injuries compared with the retrospective group. Our findings support the use of a multipronged approach for the prevention of health care-associated pressure injuries in the surgical population, which includes assessment of risk, implementation of evidence-based prevention interventions for at-risk patients, and continuation of prevention beyond the perioperative setting to the nursing care unit.

Palliative care: a challenge for orthopaedic nursing care.

Patients who face chronic, incurable, or life-ending musculoskeletal conditions often receive inadequate care either due to a lack of caregiver awareness or inattention to maintaining the highest quality at the end of life. Palliative care focuses on the comprehensive physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and existential needs of patients with life-threatening or debilitating illness. Orthopaedic nurses and all nurses in general are challenged to incorporate palliative care principles into care planned with patients and families facing end-of-life issues. This article addresses the leadership role the National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses (NAON) has taken to develop a consensus document which endorses the Last Acts Precepts of Palliative Care and affirms the need for palliative care with patients who experience life-threatening illness. A case study is used to illustrate the opportunity a multidisciplinary team has to center care on the individual, while remaining sensitive to the holistic needs of the patient for self-determination at the end of life.