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Regaining independent living can be challenging in patients undergoing inpatient geriatric rehabilitation. Given the paucity of evidence-based physiotherapy programs for this particular heterogeneous group, the Geriatric Activation Program Pellenberg (GAPP) was developed. Investigate the evolution of functional performance, and predict detectable changes throughout 4 weeks of GAPP. Methods: Participants in this observational study (2017–2019) followed GAPP as part of their rehabilitation program. Functional balance (Berg balance scale (BBS)) and independence (Katz scale) were the primary outcomes, with gait speed, elbow and knee extension strength, cognitive processing speed, and mood as secondary outcomes. All outcomes were assessed at baseline, 2 weeks and 4 weeks later. Prediction analysis was conducted using logistic regression modeling. Previously reported minimal detectable change with 95% confidence interval (MDC95) was used as detectable change. We recruited 111 participants, with 83 completing 4 weeks of GAPP and all assessments. Over 4 weeks, all outcome measures showed a significant improvement (p ≤.007). Detectable change was found for BBS (mean improvement of 12.8 points (95% CI: 10.9–14.8), MDC95 = 6.6) and gait speed (mean improvement of 0.24 m/s (95% CI: 0.19–0.29), MDC95 = 0.1 m/s). We found that baseline scores lower than 26 on the BBS (75% sensitivity, 65% specificity) and gait speed lower than 0.34 m/s (53% sensitivity, 81% specificity) were associated with participants achieving detectable change at 4 weeks on BBS and gait speed, respectively. Functional performance of a heterogeneous group of geriatric inpatients improved notably after 4 weeks of GAPP. Baseline scores on BBS and gait speed can partially predict detectable changes in functional performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Regaining functional independence and independent living is challenging in hospitalized geriatric patients. Different from community dwelling and institutionalized older people, geriatric patients on rehabilitation wards generally receive more frequent and structured physiotherapy with the primary aim to discharge them to their home or place of residence. There is a paucity of evidence concerning the structure and components of physiotherapy programs to improve functional performance in this particular group. In this paper, we describe how we developed the Geriatric Activation Program Pellenberg (GAPP) based on patients' needs and available literature. Methods: We searched the literature on physiotherapy interventions focusing on the core components for improvement of functional performance: strength, balance, function, (gait)speed, coordination, and endurance training. Based on physiotherapist staffing and physiotherapy time allocated to each patient, we organized the practical, daily delivery of the program. Results: GAPP is a 5‐day program, repeated weekly, delivered by physiotherapists and physiotherapy students. Each day, one or a combination of two to three different core components of functional performance is trained intensively in 45‐min sessions. A set of standard exercises is constantly adjusted to each patients' capacity. On day 5, there is a mix of these core elements in a group session (e.g., chair‐dance, table tennis, karate) and the Berg Balance Scale is completed to evaluate progress. Conclusion: GAPP is a multicomponent physiotherapy program for hospitalized patients on a geriatric rehabilitation ward, aimed at improving functional performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Older patients admitted to cardiac care units often suffer functional decline. We evaluated whether a nurse‐led geriatric co‐management program leads to better functional status at hospital discharge. Design: A quasi‐experimental before‐and‐after study was performed between September 2016 and December 2018, with the main endpoint at hospital discharge and follow‐up at 6 months. Setting: Two cardiac care units of the University Hospitals Leuven. Participants: One hundred and fifty‐one intervention and 158 control patients aged 75 years or older admitted for acute cardiovascular disease or transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Intervention: A nurse from the geriatrics department performed a comprehensive geriatric assessment within 24 h of admission. The cardiac care team and geriatrics nurse drafted an interdisciplinary care plan, focusing on early rehabilitation, discharge planning, promoting physical activity, and preventing geriatric syndromes. The geriatrics nurse provided daily follow‐up and coached the cardiac team. A geriatrician co‐managed patients with complications. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was functional status measured using the Katz Index for independence in activities of daily living (ADL; one‐point difference was considered clinically relevant). Secondary outcomes included the incidence of ADL decline and complications, length of stay, unplanned readmissions, survival, and quality of life. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 85 years. Intervention patients had better functional status at hospital discharge (8.9, 95% CI = 8.7–9.3 versus 9.5, 95% CI = 9.2–9.9; p = 0.019) and experienced 18% less functional decline during hospitalization (25% vs. 43%, p = 0.006). The intervention group experienced significantly fewer cases of delirium and obstipation during hospitalization, and significantly fewer nosocomial infections. At 6‐month follow‐up, patients had significantly better functional status and quality of life. There were no differences regarding length of stay, readmissions, or survival. CONCLUSION: This first nurse‐led geriatric co‐management program for frail patients on cardiac care units was not effective in improving functional status, but significantly improved secondary outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: geriatric consultation teams have failed to impact clinical outcomes prompting geriatric co-management programmes to emerge as a promising strategy to manage frail patients on non-geriatric wards. Objective: to conduct a systematic review of the effectiveness of in-hospital geriatric co-management. Data sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and CENTRAL were searched from inception to 6 May 2016. Reference lists, trial registers and PubMed Central Citations were additionally searched. Study selection: randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies of in-hospital patients included in a geriatric co-management study. Two investigators performed the selection process independently. Data extraction: standardised data extraction and assessment of risk of bias were performed independently by two investigators. Results: twelve studies and 3,590 patients were included from six randomised and six quasi-experimental studies. Geriatric co-management improved functional status and reduced the number of patients with complications in three of the four studies, but studies had a high risk of bias and outcomes were measured heterogeneously and could not be pooled. Co- management reduced the length of stay (pooled mean difference, -1.88 days [95% CI, -2.44 to -1.33]; 11 studies) and may reduce in-hospital mortality (pooled odds ratio, 0.72 [95% CI, 0.50-1.03]; 7 studies). Meta-analysis identified no effect on the number of patients discharged home (5 studies), post-discharge mortality (3 studies) and readmission rate (4 studies). Conclusions: there was low-quality evidence of a reduced length of stay and a reduced number of patients with complica- tions, and very low-quality evidence of better functional status as a result of geriatric co-management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate drugs have been associated with negative outcomes in older adults which might be reduced by pharmacist interventions. Objectives: Our objective was to evaluate the effect of a pharmacist intervention, consisting of the application of the Rationalization of home medication by an Adjusted STOPP in older Patients (RASP) list and a pharmacist-led medication review on polypharmacy, the quality of prescribing, and clinical outcome in geriatric inpatients. Methods: A monocentric, prospective controlled trial was undertaken at the geriatric wards of a large university hospital. Pharmacists applied the RASP list to the drugs reconciled on admission and additionally performed an expert-based medication review, upon which recommendations were provided to the treating physicians. The primary outcome was the composite endpoint of drug discontinuation and dose reduction of drugs taken on admission. Secondary outcomes included RASP-identified potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), the number of Emergency Department (ED) visits and quality of life (QOL) registered up to 3 months after discharge. Results: On average, patients ( n = 172) took 10 drugs on admission and were 84.5 years (standard deviation 4.8) of age. More drugs were discontinued or reduced in dose in the intervention group {control vs. intervention: median (interquartile range [IQR]) 3 (2-5) vs. 5 (3-7); p < 0.001}. More PIMs were discontinued in the intervention group, leading to less PIM at discharge [control vs. intervention: median (IQR) 2 (1-3) vs. 0.5 (0-1); p < 0.001]. No signal of harm was seen, and a significant improvement of QOL and less ED visits without hospitalization were observed. Conclusions: The combined intervention safely reduced drug use in very old inpatients and outperformed usual geriatric care. An increased QOL was seen, as well as a trend towards less ED visits. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01513265. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A review of the article "A comprehensive pharmacist intervention to reduce morbidity in patients 80 years or older: a randomized controlled trial" by U. Gillespie is presented.

Abstract: Background: Inpatient geriatric consultation teams are multidisciplinary teams that advice and sensitize health care professionals in the hospital for the care of older patients. Despite the lack of clear evidence that these teams are effective, they were rated highly relevant and introduced in Belgian hospitals in 2007. Objectives: To evaluate the implementation and performance of geriatric consultation teams and geriatric resource nurses (GRNs) in Belgium. Design: A cross-sectional survey was performed in March and April 2010. Setting: Acute hospitals. Participants: Sixty-six hospitals completed the questionnaire (response rate of 68.8%); 63 geriatric consultation teams were included. Methods: A newly developed questionnaire was sent to all hospitals. The head of the geriatric department completed the general parts of the questionnaire. The other parts, covering the organization of the consultation teams and geriatric resource nurses, respectively, were completed by the geriatrician or the head nurse of the geriatric consultation team. All data were analysed in a descriptive manner. Results: The mean number of full time equivalents (FTE) per consultation team was 4.3 (SD±1.3; range 1.9–10.1). The nurse, represented by a mean of 1.7 FTE (SD±0.8), was a core member in almost all teams (n =60; 98.4%). The occupational therapist, geriatrician, dietician, psychologist and speech therapist were core members in more than 59% of the teams. Twenty-seven teams (42.9%) estimated that more than 75% of the patients (≥75 years) were screened for having a geriatric profile. This screening was mostly performed using the Triage Risk Screening Tool (n =23) or the Identification of Seniors At Risk (n =20). A positive screening automatically resulted in a request for a geriatric consultation team intervention in 45 teams (71.4%). Thirty-five teams (55.5%) had an advisory role only, while the other 28 teams (44.5%) had both advisory and executive roles. The median number of patients for whom recommendations were formulated per year, was 423 (Q1=230; Q3=633). Most participants rated the function of GRNs as ‘poor’ or ‘bad’. Conclusion: To increase their impact, inpatient geriatric consultation teams focus on frail older persons using screening tools for detection of high-risk patients. More intense collaboration with GRNs is essential, and the function of GRNs needs further improvement. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives To assess the value of nurses' clinical judgment ( NCJ) in predicting hospital inpatient falls. Design Prospective multicenter study. Setting Six Belgian hospitals. Participants Two thousand four hundred seventy participants (mean age 67.6 ± 18.3; female, 55.7%) on four surgical (n = 812, 32.9%), eight geriatric (n = 666, 27.0%), and four general medical wards (n = 992, 40.1%) were included upon admission. All participants were hospitalized for at least 48 hours. Measurements Within 24 hours after admission, nurses gave their judgment on the question 'Do you think your patient is at high risk for falling?' Nurses were not trained in assessing fall risk. Falls were documented on a standardized incident report form. Results During hospitalization, 143 (5.8%) participants experienced one or more falls, accounting for 202 falls and corresponding to an overall rate of 7.9 falls per 1,000 patient days. NCJ of participant's risk of falling had high sensitivity (78-92%) with high negative predictive value (94-100%) but low positive predictive value (4-17%). Although false-negative rates were low (8-22%) for all departments and age groups, false-positive rates were high (55-74%), except on surgical and general medical wards and in participants younger than 75. Conclusion This analysis, based on multicenter data and a large sample size, suggests that NCJ can be recommended on surgical and general medical wards and in individuals younger than 75, but on geriatric wards and in participants aged 75 and older, NCJ overestimates risk of falling and is thus not recommended because expensive comprehensive fall-prevention measures would be implemented in a large number of individuals who do not need it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of an inpatient geriatric consultation team (IGCT) on end points of interest in people with hip fracture: length of stay, functional status, mortality, new nursing home admission, and hospital readmission. DESIGN: Controlled trial based on assignment by convenience. SETTING: Trauma ward in a university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred seventy-one people with hip fracture aged 65 and older. INTERVENTION: Participants were assigned to a multidisciplinary geriatric intervention (n=94) or usual care (n=77) during hospitalization after hip fracture. MEASUREMENTS: End points were functional status, length of stay, mortality, new nursing home admission, and hospital readmission 6 weeks, 4 months, and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: Mean length of stay was 11.1 ± 5.1 days in the intervention group and 12.4 ± 8.5 days in the control groups (P=.24). Complete adherence to IGCT recommendations was 56.8%. A significant benefit of intervention on functional status in univariate analyses (P=.02) 8 days after surgery disappeared in a linear mixed model. Participants with dementia had better functional status in a linear mixed model than those without (P=.03), but this effect was no longer significant after Bonferroni correction for multiple testing. After 6 weeks, 4 months, and 12 months, no between-group differences could be documented for mortality, new nursing home admission, or readmission rate. CONCLUSION: This trial could not document functional benefits of an IGCT intervention in people with hip fracture. More research is needed to investigate whether a more-intensive approach with more-direct control over patient management, more-specific recommendations, and more-intense education would be effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]