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Abstract Objective To create an electronic frailty index (eFRAGICAP) using electronic health records (EHR) in Catalunya (Spain) and assess its predictive validity with a two-year follow-up of the outcomes: homecare need, institutionalization and mortality in the elderly. Additionally, to assess its concurrent validity compared to other standardized measures: the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) and the Risk Instrument for Screening in the Community (RISC). Methods The eFRAGICAP was based on the electronic frailty index (eFI) developed in United Kingdom, and includes 36 deficits identified through clinical diagnoses, prescriptions, physical examinations, and questionnaires registered in the EHR of primary health care centres (PHC). All subjects > 65 assigned to a PHC in Barcelona on 1st January, 2016 were included. Subjects were classified according to their eFRAGICAP index as: fit, mild, moderate or severe frailty. Predictive validity was assessed comparing results with the following outcomes: institutionalization, homecare need, and mortality at 24 months. Concurrent validation of the eFRAGICAP was performed with a sample of subjects (n = 333) drawn from the global cohort and the CFS and RISC. Discrimination and calibration measures for the outcomes of institutionalization, homecare need, and mortality and frailty scales were calculated. Results 253,684 subjects had their eFRAGICAP index calculated. Mean age was 76.3 years (59.5% women). Of these, 41.1% were classified as fit, and 32.2% as presenting mild, 18.7% moderate, and 7.9% severe frailty. The mean age of the subjects included in the validation subsample (n = 333) was 79.9 years (57.7% women). Of these, 12.6% were classified as fit, and 31.5% presented mild, 39.6% moderate, and 16.2% severe frailty. Regarding the outcome analyses, the eFRAGICAP was good in the detection of subjects who were institutionalized, required homecare assistance, or died at 24 months (c-statistic of 0.841, 0.853, and 0.803, respectively). eFRAGICAP was also good in the detection of frail subjects compared to the CFS (AUC 0.821) and the RISC (AUC 0.848). Conclusion The eFRAGICAP has a good discriminative capacity to identify frail subjects compared to other frailty scales and predictive outcomes.

Abstract Background Frailty in older adults is a common multidimensional clinical entity, a state of vulnerability to stressors that increases the risk of adverse outcomes such as functional decline, institutionalization or death. The aim of this study is to identify the factors that anticipate the future inclusion of community-dwelling individuals aged ≥70 years in home care programmes (HC) and nursing homes (NH), and to develop the corresponding prediction models. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted in 23 primary healthcare centers located in Catalonia, Spain, with an eight-year follow-up (2005–2013). The cohort was made up of 616 individuals. Data collection included a baseline multidimensional assessment carried out by primary health care professionals. Outcome variables were collected during follow-up by consulting electronic healthcare records, and the Central Registry of Catalonia for mortality. A prognostic index for a HC and NH at 8 years was estimated for each patient. Death prior to these events was considered a competing risk event, and Fine–Gray regression models were used. Results At baseline, mean age was 76.4 years and 55.5% were women. During follow-up, 19.2% entered a HC program, 8.2% a NH, and 15.4% died without presenting an event. Of those who entered a NH, 31.5% had previously been in a HC program. Multivariate models for a HC and NH showed that the risk of a HC entry was associated with older age, dependence on the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, and slow gait measured by Timed-up-and-go test. An increased risk of being admitted to a NH was associated with older age, dependence on the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, number of prescriptions, and the presence of social risk. Conclusions Prognostic models based on comprehensive geriatric assessments can predict the need for the commencement of HC and NH admission in community-dwelling older adults. Our findings underline the necessity to measure functional capacity, mobility, number of prescriptions, and social aspects of older adults in primary healthcare centers. In such a setting they can be offered longitudinal holistic assessments so as to benefit from preventive actions in order to remain independent in the community for as long as possible.

Resumen: Introducción: La seguridad de los pacientes representa una prioridad del sistema de salud y un principio fundamental de la atención sanitaria. Las úlceras por presión, evitables en un alto porcentaje, son consideradas el primer evento adverso relacionado con los cuidados de enfermería. Objetivos: Conocer la percepción de los distintos profesionales sanitarios sobre la gravedad de las úlceras por presión como evento adverso. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal en enero de 2016 a personal sanitario de diferentes centros de trabajo, principalmente de España y Andorra. Se administró una encuesta online desarrollada por los investigadores ad hoc para la recogida de datos con variables sociodemográficas, experiencia y ámbito de trabajo y los diferentes ítems en los que se pretendía conocer su opinión sobre la importancia de tres efectos adversos: úlceras por presión, caídas y flebitis. Resultados: Participaron 459 profesionales: un 71,24% enfermeras, un 14,81% médicos y un 13,95% técnicos en cuidados auxiliares en enfermería. El 87,7% consideró las úlceras por presión como un evento adverso grave, y las enfermeras fueron el colectivo que consideró este efecto como más grave. Para la prevención de estas lesiones, el 97,8% afirmaron la evidencia de su evitabilidad. No se observó asociación sobre la importancia y consecuencias de las úlceras por presión como evento adverso entre las variables profesión y opinión. Conclusiones: Los encuestados consideraron las úlceras por presión como el evento adverso más grave entre los cuidados de enfermería y consideraron, además, que se pueden prevenir.

Abstract Background The detection of elder mistreatment is emerging as a public health priority; however, abusive behaviors exercised by caregivers are little known and rarely detected among primary health care professionals. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of risk of abuse against community-residing elderly with moderate to severe dependency whose caregivers are relatives. In addition, we aim to describe the association between such a risk and socio-demographic variables, cognitive and dependency state of the victim, and the scale of the caregiver’s anxiety, depression, and burden. Methods Cross-sectional study developed in 72 Primary Health Care teams from Barcelona, Spain. Participants were caregivers and their dependent care recipients (N = 829). Home interviews included the Caregiver Abuse Screen (CASE); self-reported abuse from care recipient; activities of daily living and cognitive state of the care recipient; anxiety and depression in caregivers and Caregiver Burden Scale. The relationship prior to the dependency, positive aspects of caregiving, and social support for the caregiver were also assessed. Multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression with risk of abuse as dependent variable. Results Caregivers were mainly women (82.8%) with a mean age of 63.3 years. Caregivers and care recipients lived in the same household in 87.4% of cases, and 86.6% had enjoyed a good previous relationship. Care recipients were women (65.6%), with a mean age of 84.2 years, and 64.2% had moderate to severe cognitive impairment. CASE demonstrated a prevalence of 33.4% (95% CI: 30.3-36.7) of abuse risk by the caregiver. Logistic regression showed as statistically significant: caregiver burden (OR = 2.75; 95% CI: 1.74-4.33), caregiver anxiety (OR = 2.06; 95% CI: 1.40-3.02), caregiver perception of aggressive behavior in the care recipient (OR = 7.24; 95% CI: 4.99-10.51), and a bad previous relationship (OR = 4.66; 95% CI: 1.25-17.4). Conclusions Prevalence of risk of abuse is high among family caregivers. Our study has found risk factors in family caregivers that are preventable to an extent, namely: anxiety and feelings of burden. It is essential to become aware of these risk factors and their causes to intervene and help primary as well secondary prevention.

Objective: To identify the characteristics of chronic patients and their environment in order to predict the nursing workload required 1 year after their inclusion in a home care program. Methods: A longitudinal study was carried out in 72 primary health care teams in Catalonia (Spain) with a 1-year follow-up of 1,068 home care patients over 64 years old. The variables collected from each patient included data on health and social status (Charlson and Barthel indexes and the Pfeiffer, Braden and Gijon scales), carer overburden (Zarit scale), hospital admissions, use of emergency services, self-perceived health (SF-12) and the number of health worker visits. Results: Patients received 7.2 (SD 10.4) visits per year from their nurse-in-charge, out of a total of 8.7 (SD 13.1) nursing visits per year. Risk factors for receiving more nursing visits at home were male gender (IRR=1.42, 95%CI: 1.20-1.67), dependency for daily activities (IRR=1.65, 95%CI: 1.29-2.13), decubitus ulcers (IRR=4.03, 95%CI: 2.27-7.14) and receiving emergency medical care at home (IRR=1.65, 95%CI: 1.31-2.07). In contrast, patients with major cognitive impairment (IRR=0.78, 95%CI: 0.63-0.98) had a lower probability of receiving nursing visits at home. Conclusions: Workload can be predicted by patients' clinical characteristics. The positive correlation of workload with variables related to disease severity and the negative correlation with variables related to cognitive impairment show that home care nursing in Catalonia is basically demand-oriented.Objetivo: Identificar las características basales de los pacientes crónicos y su entorno que predicen la carga de trabajo de enfermería durante el año siguiente a su inclusión en un programa de atención domiciliaria (ATDOM). Métodos: Estudio longitudinal realizado en 72 equipos de atención primaria de salud en Cataluña. Seguimiento durante un año de 1068 pacientes de ATDOM mayores de 64 años de edad. Variables recogidas: nivel de salud y situación social (test de Charlson, Barthel, Pfeiffer, Braden y Gijón); sobrecarga del cuidador (Test de Zarit); ingresos hospitalarios y visitas a urgencias; estado subjetivo de salud (SF-12); visitas de los profesionales de salud. Resultados: Los pacientes recibieron 7,2 (DE: 10,4) visitas anuales de su enfermera habitual. Observamos que tienen más riesgo de recibir visitas de enfermería los pacientes varones (IRR=1,42, IC95%: 1,20-1,67), con dependencia para las actividades de la vida diaria (IRR=1,65, IC95%: 1,29-2,13), afectados por úlceras por decúbito (IRR=4,03, IC95%: 2,27-7,14) y que precisaron servicios de atención de urgencia a domicilio (IRR=1,65, IC95%: 1,31-2,07). Por otro lado, los pacientes con deterioro cognitivo importante tienen menos probabilidad de recibir visitas de su enfermera (IRR=0,78, IC95%: 0,63-0,98). Conclusiones: Las características clínicas de los pacientes permiten predecir la carga de trabajo de enfermería. Esta relación positiva de la carga de trabajo con las variables relacionadas con la gravedad de la enfermedad y la relación negativa con el deterioro cognitivo muestra que la enfermería domiciliaria en Cataluña está básicamente orientada a la demanda.

Resumen: Introducción: La seguridad de los pacientes representa una prioridad del sistema de salud y un principio fundamental de la atención sanitaria. Las úlceras por presión, evitables en un alto porcentaje, son consideradas el primer evento adverso relacionado con los cuidados de enfermería. Objetivos: Conocer la percepción de los distintos profesionales sanitarios sobre la gravedad de las úlceras por presión como evento adverso. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal en enero de 2016 a personal sanitario de diferentes centros de trabajo, principalmente de España y Andorra. Se administró una encuesta online desarrollada por los investigadores ad hoc para la recogida de datos con variables sociodemográficas, experiencia y ámbito de trabajo y los diferentes ítems en los que se pretendía conocer su opinión sobre la importancia de tres efectos adversos: úlceras por presión, caídas y flebitis. Resultados: Participaron 459 profesionales: un 71,24% enfermeras, un 14,81% médicos y un 13,95% técnicos en cuidados auxiliares en enfermería. El 87,7% consideró las úlceras por presión como un evento adverso grave, y las enfermeras fueron el colectivo que consideró este efecto como más grave. Para la prevención de estas lesiones, el 97,8% afirmaron la evidencia de su evitabilidad. No se observó asociación sobre la importancia y consecuencias de las úlceras por presión como evento adverso entre las variables profesión y opinión. Conclusiones: Los encuestados consideraron las úlceras por presión como el evento adverso más grave entre los cuidados de enfermería y consideraron, además, que se pueden prevenir.