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Introduction Methods Consumer involvement Findings Conclusion PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY The revised functional autonomy measurement system (SMAF‐R) is an outcome measure of activity performance and resource needs. This study aimed to measure the implementability of the SMAF‐R as a routine outcome measure in acute and subacute inpatients.This was a mixed‐methods implementation study. Occupational therapists were asked to complete the SMAF‐R in hospitalised people with an anticipated length of stay greater than 48 hours over a 12‐month period (n = 13,348). A baseline audit of SMAF‐R completion rates was conducted, and behaviour change interventions were delivered over 12 months. The Implementability of Healthcare Interventions conceptual framework was used to evaluate fidelity (completion rates), acceptability (staff survey with quantitative and qualitative responses), and feasibility (change in SMAF‐R scores from admission to discharge). Quantitative and qualitative (analysed thematically) data were integrated.Occupational therapists and other staff working to improve outcome measure completion within the electronic medical record and other allied health teams were consulted when developing and delivering behaviour change interventions.Peak completion of the SMAF‐R did not meet an 80% fidelity success rate (admission: 32% in acute and 66% in subacute; discharge: 12% in acute and 48% in subacute). Two thirds of occupational therapists reported the SMAF‐R was an acceptable measure to use, but only 38% liked using it. Thematic analysis revealed three themes: (1) A greater understanding of the relevance of the SMAF‐R influenced acceptability; (2) using the SMAF‐R within an electronic medical record may facilitate completion; and (3) it takes more time to complete SMAF. Patients made clinically significant improvements in SMAF‐R scores during their hospital stay (median difference 16.5 [6.5–27.0], p < 0.001, n = 764).Although most occupational therapists reported the SMAF‐R was acceptable, there were mixed opinions regarding the relevance of the SMAF‐R in this setting, which may have impacted fidelity. Additional prompting and training (especially regarding understanding SMAF‐R relevance to practice) may assist with improving SMAF‐R completion. Further research is required to assess the psychometric properties of the SMAF‐R in the hospital environment.The revised functional autonomy measurement system (SMAF‐R) is an assessment tool used to measure performance in everyday activities (such as showering) and the resources needed to complete these tasks (e.g., a shower chair or someone's help). Occupational therapists can use it at the start of a patient admission and again at the end in different hospital settings to assess patients' needs and see if they improve.This study aimed to measure (1) how often occupational therapists use the SMAF‐R with patients in hospital, (2) how acceptable occupational therapists find the SMAF‐R, and (3) whether the SMAF‐R shows changes in patients' abilities during their hospital stay. Before the study, usual completion of the SMAF‐R was measured, and it was found to be completed in less than 1% of patients. Strategies were introduced to improve SMAF‐R completion over 12 months. After this, completion of the SMAF‐R improved to between 9% and 38% in different hospital settings. Changes in SMAF‐R scores showed that patients improved during their time in hospital. Most occupational therapists reported the SMAF‐R was an acceptable measure, but less than half liked using it. The low completion rates suggested that either the SMAF‐R was not fit for purpose in this setting or that more support is needed to increase completion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To describe the results of a program developed to manage institutional postacute care (IPAC) (postacute skilled nursing, inpatient rehabilitation facility, and long-term acute care) in a CMS Bundled Payments for Care Improvement (BPCI) project for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. STUDY DESIGN: We compared pre- and postutilization patterns during a 3-year period by evaluating risk-adjusted national, state, and other BPCI participant comparisons using a difference-in-differences (DID) analysis in a large urban community tertiary center with a CABG surgery program. Included in the analysis were all Medicare patients receiving CABG surgery at the institution (n = 504), across the nation (n = 213,423), and at other BPCI institutions (n = 4939). METHODS: The intervention included (1) use of a standardized tool for evaluation and prognostication of patient placement, (2) programmatic changes to manage patient functional recovery, and (3) patient and family engagement in postacute placement and functional recovery plan. RESULTS: Physical therapist/occupational therapist time with patients who had undergone CABG surgery increased by more than 179% between the pre- and postintervention periods. This was associated with a 41.2% and 51.6% decline in IPAC use at the institution on an observed basis and adjusted basis, respectively. DID comparison demonstrated a 14.40% (95% CI, -19.30% to -9.60%) greater reduction at the target hospital than at other participating BPCI hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: A strong association exists between a focused patient functional recovery program and IPAC use reduction after CABG surgery. Using a structured approach to clinical analytics and hypothesis testing of redesign efforts when managing postacute care populations removes waste from care delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Older adults admitted to post-acute care often are frail with multiple comorbidities, making them particularly vulnerable to developing delirium. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to create, implement, and evaluate an NP-led, evidence-based delirium prevention protocol in a skilled nursing facility (SNF). The incidence of new-onset delirium was assessed pre- and postimplementation; following implementation, no patients were diagnosed with new-onset delirium, and nurses and certified nursing assistants reported changes to their practice. Based on project design, the approximately 42,000 NPs in the US with nursing home or long-term-care facility privileges are optimally positioned to lead SNFs in the prevention of new-onset delirium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Few studies explore the patient heterogeneity, trajectory development, and factors influencing the functional recovery of the postacute care cerebrovascular disease (PAC-CVD) program. The objective of the study was to analyze the group-based trajectory and different functional improvement for patients with acute stroke participating in the PAC-CVD program. Materials and Methods: A total of 328 patients with acute stroke who had participated in PAC-CVD program in rehabilitation departments of three hospitals from 2014 to 2017 were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was applied to analyze the clinical characteristics between high- and low-function groups (LFGs). The analysis of variance and Chi-square test were used to analyze the association between functional grouping and patients' characteristics. Results: In the study baseline, patients could be divided into high function group (HFG; 85/328 = 25.9%), medium function group (MFG; 128/328 = 39.02%), and (LFG; 115/328 = 35.06%) by LPA. age (P = 0.001), length of hospital stays (P = 0.001), male sex (P = 0.048), and lesion type (P = 0.023) were significantly associated with being grouped in the high-function group. After 6 weeks of rehabilitation training, 100% of HFG remained as HFG, 49.04% of MFG transitioned to HFG, and 50% of MFG continued to remain as MFG. 8.41% of LFG transitioned to HFG, 57% of LFG transitioned to MFG, but still, 34.58% of LFG continued to remain as LFG. Conclusion: Identifying initial functional groups can guide medical professionals to target patients for PAC service use. PAC-CVD high-intensity rehabilitation significantly enhances acute stroke patients' functional recovery, though effectiveness varies over time. These factors highlight the need for further development of rehabilitation programs to boost patient independence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Forensic mental health services balance recovery‐focussed therapy with risk management, which may limit opportunities for participation in meaningful occupation. Previous research describes forensic patients in secure settings participating mainly in passive leisure and sleep. This study aimed to use quantitative and qualitative evidence to investigate how patients in the sub‐acute and rehabilitation units of an Australian forensic hospital perceive and use their time and to discuss how the findings compare with the previous study within the organisation, published in 2004. Method: An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was used with convenience sampling of patients and purposive sampling of staff. Patients completed time use diaries followed by semi‐structured interviews. Staff perceptions were obtained via survey. Results: Seven male patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and five staff members (three occupational therapists and two nurses) participated. Time use diaries indicated patients spent most time in personal care, passive recreation, and leisure activities. Qualitative data illustrated patient time use was influenced by the individualised meaningfulness of activities. Patients drew meaning from past roles, personal interests/needs, and their goals for recovery. While patients had some choice over how time is spent and with whom they chose to engage, external factors such as staff/program availability prevented their having full control. Staff provided additional perspectives on the links between time use and recovery, identifying enablers and barriers to meaningful time use. Conclusion: Patient time use has not changed significantly when compared to past research, although perceptions of time use are more future and recovery‐focussed. The amount of time recorded in activities typically associated with recovery does not necessarily capture the quality and benefit of that time use. Patient participation continues to be influenced by broader systems. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Forensic mental health services provide recovery‐focussed therapy while also managing risks, which can limit the activities patients can do. Past research has described forensic patients spending a lot of time sleeping and doing passive leisure activities. This study explored how patients in the sub‐acute and rehabilitation units of an Australian forensic hospital used their time, and how they felt about it. These findings were compared with findings of a past study within the same service. Patients completed time‐use diaries then shared more information in interviews. Staff views about patient time use were shared in a survey. Seven male patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and five staff members (three occupational therapists and two nurses) participated. Patients spent most of their time in personal care, passive recreation, and leisure activities. They spoke about the meaning of their activities, including their roles, interests, needs, and recovery goals. Sometimes they had control over how they spent their time, and other times they had to wait for staff or programs to be available. Staff talked about how patient time use was linked to their recovery, and noted things that can help or prevent patients using their time meaningfully. Compared with previous research, the way patients use their time has not changed. There is a change in the way patients think about their time use, with them now reflecting more on recovery and the future. The structures of the forensic system continue to influence patients' participation in activities and how they use their time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: Stroke is one of the neurological disorders which is caused by disturbance in blood supply to the brain resulting in weakness in contralateral limbs and axial musculature. Stroke is the leading cause of physical impairment where the most prominent motor deficit is paresis of one side of body, which is contralateral to the event. This study was conducted with an aim to assess the effectiveness of bilateral upper extremity training on trunk performance, posture and gait in patients with subacute stroke. Method: 30 subjects with subacute stroke were selected for the study. Subjects were treated for 3 days/week for 12 sessions with 45 minutes of task oriented, strengthening training and PNF technique for bilateral upper extremity along with conventional training. The rehabilitation protocol consists of bilateral functional exercises, activity of daily living goal, exercises in multiple movement games, strengthening exercises for lower limb, controlled sitting training, sit to stand training, weight bearing and balance training Conclusion: Significant improvement in all items of TIS, PASS and DGI were observed after intervention (P< 0.001). The study concluded that bilateral upper extremity training is more effective in improving trunk control, posture and gait in subacute stroke patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Physical interventions during subacute rehabilitation have potential to improve functional recovery. This study explored the perspectives of children and adolescents with acquired brain injury (ABI) and their parents with respect to physical rehabilitation during the subacute phase. Methods: Thirteen children and adolescents with ABI and their parents were included and interviewed using semi-structured interviews. Interview transcripts were analysed using inductive thematic analysis approach. Results: Six themes were identified: 1) beliefs of physical rehabilitation, 2) content of physical rehabilitation, 3) tailored care, 4) impact of context, 5) communication and 6) transition. The importance of intensive physical practice was widely supported. The positive can-do mentality was emphasised to create an atmosphere of hope, meaning that every effort would be made to achieve maximum recovery. Intensive involvement of parents is considered essential during subacute rehabilitation including an open and mutual dialogue about the focus of rehabilitation, therapy goals and future participation in their own environment. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the need for an intensive rehabilitation approach, tailored to the individual's needs. The perspectives of children and adolescents and their parents in our study contribute to a better understanding of factors that are important for optimal recovery through physical rehabilitation during the subacute phase. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Children with acquired brain injury and their parents indicate the potential and thus the importance of intensive physical practice to enhance optimal recovery. Involvement of parents and the potential of their continuous presence during subacute rehabilitation may have a positive impact on the effect of rehabilitation efforts. The positive can-do mentality of rehabilitation professionals creates an atmosphere of hope and is an important requisite to achieve maximum recovery. Open dialogue between clinicians and the family is warranted about the focus of interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Prompt resolution of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) thrombosis is essential to minimize the need for temporary dialysis catheters. Identifying the ideal timing for the management of thrombosed arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is an area that has not been thoroughly explored. Herein, we examined a local infusion of urokinase for thrombolysis followed by ultrasound-guided percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (PTA) in acute and subacute AVF thromboses. Methods. This retrospective cohort research assessed thrombosed AVF in patients referred to the Second Xiangya Hospital. We included patients who underwent local thrombolysis followed by ultrasound-guided PTA treatment between January 1, 2018, and January 1, 2020. Results. We enrolled the records of 86 patients into the present study, including 44 patients with acute AVF thrombosis (group 1: thrombus age, < 72 hours) and 42 patients with subacute AVF thrombosis (group2: thrombus age, 72 hours to seven days). The thrombolytic success rate was 79.5% in group 1 and 42.9% in group 2 (P < .001). All patients underwent ultrasound-guided PTA to dissolve any residual thrombi regardless of thrombolytic success. Technical success after PTA procedures was achieved in 93.2% of patients in group 1 and 88.1% in group 2 (P = .417). Primary patency at six months was comparable between the two groups (67.5% vs. 64.8%, P = .564). We observed that thrombolytic effect does not affect PTA success rate, and six-month patency rate. Conclusion. Direct local infusion of urokinase to the affected area followed by ultrasound-guided PTA constitutes a minimally invasive and effective method for salvaging thrombosed AVF in contrast to abandoning the occluded fistula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to survey knowledge and perceptions of social prescribing (SP) amongst health and community care workers, and is a cross-sectional online survey conducted in November 2023. Methods: The survey on basic demographics, awareness, knowledge, and practices of SP was completed by 123 health and community care workers. Results: The mean age of respondents was 39.0 years. Nearly two-thirds had heard of SP. A lower proportion of acute hospital doctors (55.6%) and nurses (56.8%) had heard of SP compared with primary and subacute care doctors (75.0%). The majority agreed that SP benefits patients' mental health and reduces healthcare utilization. Primary care physicians, community nurses, and active ageing centres were the top three professionals selected as most responsible for SP by survey respondents. The most commonly cited barriers to SP were seniors' reluctance (63.4%), lacking knowledge on how to refer (59.3%), lack of time (44.7%), and cost to seniors (44.7%). Conclusion: Overall, health and community care workers demonstrated positive attitudes toward SP and were keen to refer patients for SP. However, additional efforts are needed to improve knowledge about how to refer to and provide training on SP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Identifying the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) contributes to the ability to determine the efficacy of physiotherapy interventions and make good clinical decisions. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to estimate the MCID for 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) among inpatients with subacute cardiac disease using multiple anchor-based methods. Methods: This study was a secondary data analysis using only data from a multicenter longitudinal observational study in which 6MWD was measured at two time points. Based on the changes in 6MWD between baseline measurement and follow-up approximately 1 week after baseline measurement, the global rating of change scales (GRCs) of patients and physiotherapists, anchor method receiver operator operating characteristic curves, predictive models, and adjusted models were used to calculate the MCID. Results: Participants comprised 35 patients. Mean (standard deviation) 6MWD was 228.9 m (121.1 m) at baseline and 270.1 m (125.0 m) at follow-up. MCID for each GRC was 27.5–35.6 m for patients and 32.5–38.6 m for physiotherapists. Conclusion: The MCID in 6MWD in patients with subacute cardiovascular disease is 27.5–38.6 m. This value may be useful in determining the effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions and for decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tsen-Pei Chen,1,2 Ying-Jia Lin,3 Yu-Lin Wang,4,5 Li-Min Wu,2,6 Chung-Han Ho3,7,8 1Department of Nursing, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan City, Taiwan; 2School of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan; 3Department of Medical Research, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan City, Taiwan; 4Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan City, Taiwan; 5Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan,Taiwan; 6Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan; 7Department of Information Management, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Tainan City, Taiwan; 8Cancer Center, Taipei Municipal Wanfang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, TaiwanCorrespondence: Li-Min Wu, School of Nursing, Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, No. 100, Shin-Chuan 1st Road., Sanmin District, Kaohsiung City, 807378, Taiwan, Email painting@kmu.edu.tw Chung-Han Ho, Department of Medical Research, Chi Mei Medical Center, No. 901, Chung Hwa Road, Yongkang Dist, Tainan City, 710, Taiwan, Email ho.c.hank@gmail.comBackground: Stroke survivors in post-acute care frequently experience physiological dysfunction and reduced quality of life. This study aims to assess the impact of the Post-Acute Care Interprofessional Collaborative Practice (PAC-IPCP) program across different care settings, and to identify sensitive tools for assessing physiological functions among post-acute stroke survivors.Methods: This retrospective study involved 210 stroke survivors in Taiwan. Participants who self-selection for their preferred between hospital care setting and home care setting under PAC-IPCP. Multiple assessment tools were utilized, including the Barthel Index (BI), Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), EQ-5D-3L, and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL). The logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios of various functional assessment tools between hospital and home care settings. Additionally, the area under the ROC curves was used to determine which functional assessment tools had higher accuracy in measuring the association between care settings.Results: Of the study population, 138 stroke survivors (65.71%) selection hospital care setting and 72 stroke survivors (34.29%) selection home care setting. The PAC-IPCP program was equally effective in both care settings for physical function status and quality of life improvements. Specifically, the BI emerged as the most sensitive tool for assessing care settings, with an adjusted OR of 1.04 (95% CI:1.02– 1.07, p < 0.0001; AUC = 0.7557). IPCP-based hospital and home care models are equally effective in facilitating improved functional outcomes in post-acute stroke survivors.Conclusion: The PAC-IPCP program is versatile and effective across care settings. The BI stands out as a robust assessment tool for physiological functions, endorsing its broader clinical application. Future studies should also consider swallowing and nutritional status for a more holistic approach to rehabilitation.Keywords: stroke, neurology, subacute care, recovery of function, health care

Cognitive-linguistic interventions for aphasia are behavioural-based approaches to therapy that aim to treat language impairment skills post-acquired brain injury. The purpose of cognitive-linguistic intervention is to restore and rehabilitate language impairment skills through targeting phonologic, semantic and syntactic systems, which may support goals to improve everyday communication. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the effects of cognitive-linguistic interventions on language processing for aphasia in the first 90 days post-stroke. Secondary aims include the investigation of the effects of these interventions on functional communication and quality of life. A systematic search was conducted across six databases. Twenty-one studies met the predefined eligibility criteria and were included in the review. Studies were rated for methodological quality and data extracted. A narrative synthesis was completed and conducted for all included studies. Four studies were suitable for meta-analysis. Evidence for the effects of cognitive-linguistic intervention for aphasia in the first 90 days post-stroke is inconclusive. Intervention approaches included constraint-induced intervention, melodic intonation therapy and study specific cognitive-linguistic intervention. Multiple studies investigated the use of computers as a mode of intervention delivery or to increase the frequency of intervention or session duration. Improvement on language outcomes was associated with positive effects on functional communication, regardless of the specific intervention. There were mixed results for quality-of-life outcomes. Further research is required to guide aphasia intervention the first 90 days post stroke, a time critical period for recovery and rehabilitation. Research reports should include adequate description of participant characteristics and consistent use of intervention protocols and outcome measures. Providing a clear description of theoretical underpinnings and detailed information regarding the components of intervention will also facilitate future research synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The association between oral food intake and oral function during the subacute stage of stroke is not well known. Objective: To investigate (1) oral function changes in subacute stroke patients and (2) association between oral function and oral intake status at several time points. Methods: In a prospective study involving 324 stroke patients at a convalescent rehabilitation unit, four oral function parameters (maximum tongue pressure, MTP; lip‐tongue motor function, LTMF; maximum occlusal force, MOF and oral health assessment tool, OHAT) were quantitatively measured upon admission (T0), at 1 month (T1) and 2 months (T2). Oral feeding status was assessed using the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) and divided based on the FOIS score into the dysphagic and regular diet groups. The changes in oral functions at the three time points were tested using generalized estimating equation analysis. The association between FOIS groups and oral functions at T1 and T2 was analysed by means of logistic regression analysis. Results: All oral function parameters improved significantly over time during the hospital stay (mean differences: 4.9 for MTP, 0.6 for LTMF, 1.1 for MOF and −1.8 for OHAT). The FOIS groups were significantly associated with MTP (p <.05) and OHAT (p <.05) at both T1 and T2. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that oral function significantly improves in patients during subacute stroke rehabilitation and better oral health can be associated with better oral intake. Improved oral function through dental intervention and oral rehabilitation may contribute to gains in oral food intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical rehabilitation and post-acute care (PAC) learning experiences are not uniformly required within medical school core curricula in the United States or internationally. This study aims to characterize what medical students might know/need to know to support patients in the transition from acute hospitalization to post-acute rehabilitation settings. The medical student cohort completing required clinical rotations in a United States quaternary care hospital system was provided a voluntary survey prompting reflection on experiences discharging patients to rehabilitation/PAC and related learning needs. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative grounded theory. Response rate was 72% (39/54). All respondents reported at least one gap in rehabilitation/PAC knowledge, falling into 8 themes: daily experience of rehabilitation/PAC; determination of eligibility/screening processes; distinctions among levels of rehabilitation/PAC; insurance coverage/equity; rehabilitation/PAC clinical practice environment; post-rehabilitation/PAC discharge support; medical capabilities within PAC settings; developing rehabilitation goals. Despite caring for patients discharged to post-acute rehabilitation settings, medical students lack essential knowledge about the process of rehabilitation and recovery, including patient eligibility for and service availability across PAC settings. Explicit rehabilitation/PAC education for medical students could enhance their ability to counsel and advocate for patients with disability and rehabilitation needs through care transitions. Medical students lack knowledge about rehabilitation and post-acute care that is important for helping patients navigate the acute to post-acute transition. Dedicated rehabilitation/post-acute care education could prepare trainees for counseling and advocating for patients during care transitions. Knowledge gaps identified in this study could inform development of curricular interventions to address medical student learning needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate factors associated with discharge to subacute care after surgery for degenerative cervical myelopathy. Design: This is a retrospective chart review of adults who underwent cervical spine surgery for degenerative cervical myelopathy between 2014 and 2020 (N = 135). Results: Patients discharged to a subacute setting were older (68.1 ± 8.6 vs. 64.1 yrs ± 8.8, P = 0.01), more likely to be unmarried (55.8% vs. 33.7% married, P = 0.01), and more likely to have Medicare or Medicaid (83.7% vs. 65.9% private insurance, P = 0.03) than patients discharged home. A posterior surgical approach was associated with discharge to a subacute setting (62.8% vs. 43.5% anterior approach, P = 0.04). A total of 87.8% of patients discharged to a subacute setting required moderate or maximum assistance for bed mobility versus 26.6% of patients discharged home (P < 0.0001). Compared with patients discharged home, patients discharged to a subacute setting ambulated a shorter distance in their first physical therapy evaluation after surgery (8.9 ± 35.8 vs. 53.7 ± 61.78 m in the home discharge group, P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Analysis of these factors may guide discussions about patient expectations for postoperative discharge placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prevention and Recovery Care services are residential sub-acute services in Victoria, Australia, guided by a commitment to recovery-oriented practice. The evidence regarding the effectiveness of this service model is limited, largely relying on small, localised evaluations. This study involved a state-wide investigation into the personal recovery, perceived needs for care, well-being and quality-of-life outcomes experienced by Prevention and Recovery Care services' consumers. Methods: A longitudinal cohort design examined the trajectory of self-reported personal recovery and other outcomes for consumers in 19 Victorian Prevention and Recovery Care services over 4 time points (T1 – 1 week after admission; T2 – within 1 week of discharge; T3 – 6 months after discharge; T4 – 12 months after discharge). T2–T4 time frames were extended by approximately 3 weeks due to recruitment challenges. The Questionnaire about the Process of Recovery was the primary outcome measure. Results: At T1, 298 consumers were recruited. By T4, 114 remained in the study. Participants scored higher on the Questionnaire about the Process of Recovery at all three time points after T1. There were also sustained improvements on all secondary outcome measures. Improvements were then sustained at each subsequent post-intervention time point. Community inclusion and having needs for care met also improved. Conclusion: The findings provide a consistent picture of benefits for consumers using Prevention and Recovery Care services, with significant improvement in personal recovery, quality of life, mental health and well-being following an admission to a Prevention and Recovery Care service. Further attention needs to be given to how to sustain the gains made through a Prevention and Recovery Care service admission in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Anaesthesiologie & Intensivmedizin is the property of DGAI e.V. - Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Anasthesiologie und Intensivmedizin e.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background Most individuals prefer to spend their final moments of life outside a hospital setting. This study compares the places of care and death of long-term care (LTC) home residents in Ontario in the last 90 days of life, according to LTC home rurality. Data and methods This retrospective cohort study was conducted using health administrative data from ICES (formerly known as the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences). The study population, which was identified through algorithms, included all Ontario LTC home residents with a dementia diagnosis who died between April 1, 2014, and March 31, 2019. The location of death was categorized as in an acute care hospital, an LTC home, a subacute care facility, or the community. Places of care included emergency department visits and hospitalizations in the last 90 days of life. Statistical tests were used to evaluate differences in location of death and places of care by rurality. Results Of the 65,375 LTC home residents with dementia, 49,432 (75.6%) died in an LTC home. Residents of LTC homes in the most urban areas were less likely to die in an LTC home than those in more rural homes (adjusted relative risk: 0.84; 95% confidence interval: 0.83 to 0.85). A higher proportion of residents of the most urban LTC homes had at least one hospitalization in the last 90 days of life compared with rural residents (23.7% versus 9.9% palliative hospitalizations and 28.3% versus 15.9% non-palliative hospitalizations [p < 0.001]). Interpretation Individuals with dementia residing in urban LTC homes are more likely to receive care in the hospital and to die outside a LTC home than their counterparts living in rural LTC homes. The findings of this work will inform efforts to improve end-of-life care for older adults with dementia living in LTC homes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe daytime and nighttime use and outcome of non-invasive respiratory intervention (NIRI) for infants born prematurely and for children with medical complexity (CMC) during a post-acute care hospital (PACH) admission. METHODS: Thirty-eight initial PACH admissions (October 2018 through September 2020) for premature infants (< 1 year; n = 19) and CMC (> 1 year; n = 19) requiring NIRI during the day and/or at night were retrospectively examined. Measures included: 1) daytime and nighttime NIRI use by type (supplemental oxygen therapy via low-flow nasal cannula or positive airway pressure [PAP] via high-flow nasal cannula, continuous positive airway pressure, or biphasic positive airway pressure at admission and discharge) and 2) daytime and nighttime NIRI outcome—reduction, increase, or no change from admission to discharge. RESULTS: For the total sample (n = 38), daytime vs nighttime NIRI use was significantly different (p < 0.001). At both admission and discharge, supplemental oxygen was the most common NIRI during the day, while PAP was most common at night. From admission to discharge, seven (18%) infants and children had a positive change (reduced NIRI) during the day, while nine (24%) had a positive change at night. At discharge, 11/38 (29%) infants and children required no daytime NIRI, while 4/38 (11%) required no day or night NIRI. CONCLUSION: NIRI use differs between day and night at PACH admission and discharge for CMC. Reductions in NIRI were achieved during the day and at night from PACH admission to discharge for both infants born prematurely and for children with varied congenital, neurological, or cardiac diagnoses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To elicit experiences of patients, family caregivers, and healthcare professionals in intermediate care units (IMCUs) in an academic medical centre in Baltimore, MD related to the challenges and intricacies of multimorbidity management to inform development of a multimorbidity symptom management toolkit. Design: Experience‐based co‐design. Methods: Between July and October 2021, patients aged 55 years and older with multimorbidity admitted to IMCUs at an academic medical centre in Baltimore, Maryland, USA were recruited and interviewed in person. Interdisciplinary healthcare professionals working in the IMCU were interviewed virtually. Participants were asked questions about their role in recognizing and treating symptoms, factors affecting the quality of life, symptom burden and trajectory over time, and strategies that have and have not worked for managing symptoms. An inductive thematic analysis approach was used for analysis. Results: Twenty‐three interviews were conducted: 9 patients, 2 family caregivers, and 12 healthcare professionals. Patients' mean age was 67.5 (±6.5) years, over half (n = 5) were Black or Hispanic, and the average number of comorbidities was 3.67. Five major themes that affect symptom management emerged: (1) the patient–provider relationship; (2) open and honest communication; (3) accessibility of resources during hospitalization and at discharge; (4) caregiver support, training, and education; and (5) care coordination and follow‐up care. Conclusion: Patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals often have similar goals but different priorities for multimorbidity management. It is imperative to identify shared priorities and target holistic interventions that consider patient and caregiver experiences to improve outcomes. Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care and Impact: This paper addresses the paucity of research related to the shared experience of disease trajectory and symptom management for people living with multimorbidity. We found that patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals often have similar goals but different care and communication priorities. Understanding differing priorities will help better design interventions to support symptom management so people with multimorbidity can have the best possible quality of life. Reporting Method: We have adhered to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies (COREQ) guidelines in our reporting. Patient or Public Contribution: This study has been designed and implemented with patient and public involvement throughout the process, including community advisory board engagement in the project proposal phase and interview guide development, and member checking in the data collection and analysis phases. The method we chose, experience‐based co‐design, emphasizes the importance of engaging members of a community to act as experts in their own life challenges. In the coming phases of the study, the public will be involved in developing and testing a new intervention, informed by these qualitative interviews and co‐design events, to support symptom management for people with multimorbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: International guidelines discourage antipsychotic use for delirium; however, concerns persist about their continued use in clinical practice. Objectives: We aimed to describe the prevalence and patterns of antipsychotic use in delirium management with regard to best-practice recommendations. Primary outcomes investigated were prevalence of use, antipsychotic type, dosage and clinical indication. Methods: Eligibility criteria: studies of any design that examined antipsychotic use to manage delirium in adults in critical care, acute care, palliative care, rehabilitation, and aged care were included. Studies of patients in acute psychiatric care, with psychiatric illness or pre-existing antipsychotic use were excluded. Information sources: we searched five health databases on 16 August, 2023 (PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, APA PsycInfo, ProQuest Health and Medical Collection) using MeSH terms and relevant keywords, including 'delirium' and 'antipsychotic'. Risk of bias: as no included studies were randomised controlled trials, all studies were assessed for methodological quality using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Synthesis of results: descriptive data were extracted in Covidence and synthesised in Microsoft Excel. Results: Included studies: 39 studies published between March 2004 and August 2023 from 13 countries (n = 1,359,519 patients). Most study designs were retrospective medical record audits (n = 16). Synthesis of results: in 18 studies, participants' mean age was ≥65 years (77.79, ±5.20). Palliative care had the highest average proportion of patients with delirium managed with antipsychotics (70.87%, ±33.81%); it was lower and varied little between intensive care unit (53.53%, ±19.73%) and non-intensive care unit settings [medical, surgical and any acute care wards] (56.93%, ±26.44%) and was lowest in in-patient rehabilitation (17.8%). Seventeen different antipsychotics were reported on. In patients aged ≥65 years, haloperidol was the most frequently used and at higher than recommended mean daily doses (2.75 mg, ±2.21 mg). Other antipsychotics commonly administered were olanzapine (mean 11 mg, ±8.54 mg), quetiapine (mean 64.23 mg, ±43.20 mg) and risperidone (mean 0.97 mg, ±0.64 mg). Conclusions: The use of antipsychotics to manage delirium is strongly discouraged in international guidelines. Antipsychotic use in delirium care is a risk for adverse health outcomes and a longer duration of delirium, especially in older people. However, this study has provided evidence that clinicians continue to use antipsychotics for delirium management, the dose, frequency and duration of which are often outside evidence-based guideline recommendations. Clinicians continue to choose antipsychotics to manage delirium symptoms to settle agitation and maintain patient and staff safety, particularly in situations where workload pressures are high. Sustained efforts are needed at the individual, team and organisational levels to educate, train and support clinicians to prioritise non-pharmacological interventions early before deciding to use antipsychotics. This could prevent delirium and avert escalation in behavioural symptoms that often lead to antipsychotic use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a high prevalence of dizziness, vertigo and balance symptoms in the general population. Symptoms can be generated by many inner-ear vestibular disorders and there are several diagnostic tests available that can help identify the site of the vestibular lesion. There is little consensus on what diagnostic tests are appropriate, with diagnostics either not completed or minimally performed, leading to missed diagnosis, unsatisfactory results for patients and costs to healthcare systems. Methods: This study explored the literature for different neuro-vestibular diagnostic tests not currently considered in the traditional standard vestibular test battery, and examined how they fit effectively into a patient care pathway to help quickly and succinctly identify vestibular function. Results: A vestibular patient care pathway is presented for acute and subacute presentation of vestibular disorders. Conclusion: An accurate diagnosis following a rigorous anamnesis and vestibular testing is paramount for successful management and favourable outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Nursing home closures have raised concerns about access to post‐acute care (PAC) and long‐term care (LTC) services. We estimate the additional distance rural residents had to travel to access PAC and LTC services because of nursing home closures. Methods: We identify nursing home closures and the availability of PAC and LTC services in nursing homes, home health agencies, and hospitals with swing beds using the Medicare Provider of Services file (2008–2018). Using distances between ZIP codes, we summarize distances to the closest provider of PAC and LTC services for rural and urban ZIP codes with nursing home closures from 2008 to 2018 and no nursing homes in 2018. Findings: Compared to urban ZIP codes, rural ZIP codes experiencing nursing home closure had higher distances to the closest nursing home providing PAC (6.4 vs. 0.94 miles; p < 0.05) and LTC services (7.2 vs. 1.1 miles; p < 0.05), and these differences remain even after accounting for the availability of home health agencies and hospitals with swing beds. Distances to the closest providers with PAC and LTC services were even higher for rural ZIP codes with no nursing homes in 2018. About 6.1%–15.7% of rural ZIP codes with a nursing home closure or with no nursing homes had no PAC or LTC providers within 25 miles. Conclusions: Nursing home closures increased distances to nursing homes, home health agencies, and hospitals with swing beds for rural residents. Access to PAC and LTC services is a concern, especially for rural areas with no nursing homes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeTo develop a model for factors predictive of Post-Acute Care Facility (PACF) discharge in adult patients undergoing elective multi-level (≥ 3 segments) lumbar/thoracolumbar spinal instrumented fusions.MethodsThe State Inpatient Databases acquired from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project from 2005 to 2013 were queried for adult patients who underwent elective multi-level thoracolumbar fusions for spinal deformity. Outcome variables were classified as discharge to home or PACF. Predictive variables included demographic, pre-operative, and operative factors. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses informed development of a logistic regression-based predictive model using seven selected variables. Performance metrics included area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity.ResultsIncluded for analysis were 8866 patients. The logistic model including significant variables from multivariate analysis yielded an AUC of 0.75. Stepwise logistic regression was used to simplify the model and assess number of variables needed to reach peak AUC, which included seven selected predictors (insurance, interspaces fused, gender, age, surgical region, CCI, and revision surgery) and had an AUC of 0.74. Model cut-off for predictive PACF discharge was 0.41, yielding a sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 59%.ConclusionsThe seven variables associated significantly with PACF discharge (age > 60, female gender, non-private insurance, primary operations, instrumented fusion involving 8+ interspaces, thoracolumbar region, and higher CCI scores) may aid in identification of adults at risk for discharge to a PACF following elective multi-level lumbar/thoracolumbar spinal fusions for spinal deformity. This may in turn inform discharge planning and expectation management.

Copyright of Arquivos Brasileiros de Oftalmologia is the property of Arquivos Brasileiros de Oftalmologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

To systematically explore the effects of trunk exercises using virtual reality technology compared to conventional exercises for trunk impairment in patients with subacute and chronic strokes. A comprehensive search of literature published from inception until December 2022 was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, IEEE, and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro). The inclusion criteria encompassed all randomized controlled trials (RCT) published in the English language involving adults who had had strokes and the evaluation of the effectiveness of virtual reality -based trunk exercises in reducing trunk impairment post stroke as measured by the trunk control test (TCT) and/or the trunk impairment scale (TIS) compared to conventional trunk exercises. A total of 397 studies were retrieved, and six studies were included in the current analysis. A random-effects meta-analysis of six studies indicated that video games had a very large, significant effect (SMD = 1.11; 95%, P < 0.0001) on the delivery of trunk exercises to reduce trunk impairment post stroke at both the subacute and chronic stages. The study findings indicate that trunk exercises using virtual reality have a highly significant effect on reducing trunk impairment in patients with subacute and chronic stroke. Large RCTs are needed to study the effects of virtual reality trunk exercises on the acute, subacute, and chronic stages of stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluate insomnia symptoms and environmental disruptors at admission and discharge in a subacute rehabilitation care setting. Veterans (age ≥50) admitted to a Veterans Health Administration (VA) Hospital subacute rehabilitation between March and August 2022 completed baseline (N = 46) and follow up (N = 33) assessments with the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Sleep Need Questionnaire (SNQ), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and an assessment of environmental sleep disruptors. Veterans were offered sleep resources after admission evaluations and outpatient referrals after discharge evaluations. Pearson correlation determined associations between length of stay (LOS), ISI, SNQ, and ESS scores at admission and discharge; chi-square and Wilcoxon Signed Rank Tests compared insomnia at admission and discharge. One-half of participants reported clinically meaningful insomnia symptoms and sleep needs at baseline with no significant change at discharge. Almost all (89.1%) Veterans reported sleep was disturbed by environmental factors, primarily staff awakenings. LOS was correlated with ESS scores at discharge (r =.52, p =.002). Environmental sleep disruption was common during a subacute rehabilitation admission and were not adequately addressed through sleep resources and treatment due to low uptake. Providers should assess sleep at admission and lessen environmental sleep disruptors by reducing noise, light, and non-essential awakenings at night. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although generally a safe procedure, serious postoperative complications after endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) for obstructive hydrocephaly have been rarely reported, such as delayed obstruction of the stoma at the third ventricle floor. Case description: A 20-year-old male was referred to our department because of severe headache and diplopia. A pineal tumour and obstructive hydrocephaly were detected in preoperative imaging. After tumour biopsy and ETV, the reduction of ventricle size and improvement of headaches were immediately observed. On the seventh day, however, he developed a rapidly progressing consciousness disturbance due to severe hydrocephalus leading to urgent secondary ETV. The original ventriculostomy stoma at the third ventricle floor was completely occluded by scar adhesion. The patient recovered well as previously and received additional treatment. Conclusion: Although very rare, occlusion of the ventriculostomy stoma can postoperatively occur in the subacute period. Patients undergoing ETV for obstructive hydrocephalus due to a pineal tumour should be carefully monitored to avoid serious consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various characteristics and circumstances lead older adults in the community to transition into long-term care homes (LTCHs). Family caregivers often provide support, resources, and encouragement to older adults during the transition into a LTCH. Therefore, this study aimed to explore family caregiver perceptions of older adults' sub-acute rehabilitation experiences that may associate with older adults' transitions into LTCHs. A descriptive survey resulted in understanding circumstances that led to older adults' transitions into the LTCH, and older adults with sub-acute rehabilitation experiences were positively associated with being more independently able to integrate into the LTCH. Future research directions and practical implications for healthcare professionals are further discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reviews the diagnosis and treatment of flexor tendon injuries of the hand highlighting flexor tendon anatomy, important pre-operative imaging findings, surgical options, and post-operative complications. Imaging plays a key role in guiding treatment of these difficult to manage injuries. Thus, it is important for radiologists to have a sound understanding of factors important in treatment decision-making. In the pre-operative setting, accurately identifying the location of the torn proximal tendon stump in subacute and chronic injuries helps dictate whether the patient is a candidate for a primary flexor tendon repair or may require a tendon reconstruction to restore function. In the post-operative setting, the status of the repair and presence of surrounding adhesions help dictate if and when the patient will require subsequent surgery and whether that surgery will be a tenolysis, revision repair, reconstruction, or fusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia are a group of non‐cognitive symptoms such as agitation, physical aggression, depression, sexual disinhibition and psychosis. Therapeutic approaches vary because of the multifactorial and complex symptomology. The researchers of this study aimed to systematically review the nonpharmacological interventions for BPSD used by nurses in acute and subacute hospital settings. Design: The PRISMA guidelines guided this systematic review. The review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020184015). Method: The databases Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) complete, Medline complete, Excerpta Medica (Embase®) and PsycINFO published by the American Psychological Association (APA) were searched for studies published in English to October 2021. Quality appraisal was performed independently by three reviewers using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program tools. Data were synthesized using a narrative approach. Results: Two studies were identified that focused on interventions used by nurses; findings were positive for the use of nonpharmacological interventions to manage BPSD. Conclusion: Current evidence suggests that nonpharmacological interventions are the best practices to manage BPSD. However, limited, and low‐quality evidence suggests that further investigation is required to understand the factors contributing to the lack of use of nonpharmacological interventions by nurses in acute and subacute hospital settings. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) occur for approximately 95% of patients diagnosed with dementia and significantly impact individuals, families, communities and healthcare systems.Due to the limited benefits and potential harm of pharmacological interventions, nonpharmacological interventions are considered the first line of treatment to manage BPSD in clinical practice.Previous systematic reviews were limited to interventions implemented by a multidisciplinary team or nonpharmacological therapies conducted mainly in a residential or long‐term care setting.What this paper adds? The existing body of evidence ascertains nonpharmacological interventions are effective in managing BPSD in patients with dementia.The authors of this review identified a gap in research for the nonpharmacological interventions used by nurses in acute and subacute hospital settings.The implications of this paper: This systematic review acknowledges the effectiveness of nonpharmacological interventions to reduce aggression and agitation in patients with dementia.It highlights two major gaps in the research: that there are very few studies conducted in hospital settings, and no studies report the use of nonpharmacological interventions by nurses on any symptoms of BPSD other than aggression in the hospital setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Step-down intermediate care aims to offer short-term care for people who are medically optimised for discharge but needing a period for further assessment and/or rehabilitation. The aim of this study, which was nested in a larger evaluation project, was to explore the experiences and perspectives of healthcare professionals to understand the implementation of a step-down IC service in Buckinghamshire, UK. The evidence is used to inform the service providers of what elements worked well and what areas require improvement. A qualitative study using semistructured interviews was conducted in May 2022. Ten healthcare professionals participated. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The following five core themes were developed: (1) the developmental period of step-down IC, (2) providing care together, (3) perceived functions of the integrated hub, (4) communication, and (5) resources. Findings from the interviews highlighted the excellent working relationships among healthcare professionals from different disciplines, which contributed to their job satisfaction and the efficiency of the service. In addition, healthcare professionals stressed the importance of the integrated hub, as it facilitated the communication between the teams and speeded up the decision-making. Several organisational challenges, such as communication issues, healthcare professionals' capacity, and the need for further funding were also voiced. Involving staff in the evaluation of a step-down intermediate care service has provided useful information on the service's implementation process and will inform the development of a long-term strategy for intermediate care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Nordic Nursing Research / Nordisk Sygeplejeforskning is the property of H. Aschehoug & Co. (W. Nygaard) AS and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Trauma & Emergency Surgery / Ulusal Travma ve Acil Cerrahi Dergisi is the property of KARE Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Older adult patients account for 70% of all hospitalized patients in Japan, and intermediate care based on patient-centered care (PCC) that ensures continuity and quality of care at the interface between home services and acute care services and restores patient's independence and confidence is necessary for them to continue living independently. At present, no concept of intermediate care is established in Japan, and the implementation of PCC has been delayed. Thus, in this study, a Japanese version of the intermediate care evaluation index (patient-reported experience measure (PREM)) was created on the basis of the original PREM developed in the UK, and data in wards with intermediate care functions in Japan were collected to confirm internal consistency and validity from 2020 to 2022. The Japanese version of PREM was found to have a factor structure with two potential factors. Given the clear correlation with the shared decision-making evaluation index, which is the pinnacle of PCC, the theoretical validity of the Japanese version of PREM, which is based on PCC as a theoretical basis, was confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bladder and bowel poststroke dysfunctions negatively impact patients' health. Stroke-related characteristics associated to these dysfunctions are poorly known. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of new-onset poststroke bladder and bowel dysfunctions, characterize their associated factors, and describe the dysfunctions' clinical approach. Cross-sectional study including 157 patients admitted to a single hospital's stroke unit with a first-ever stroke, during 3 months. An 18-item questionnaire was applied to assess dysfunctions pre and poststroke. The McNemar test was used to compare pre and poststroke prevalence. A logistic regression was used to estimate associations (OR, 95% CI) between individual characteristics and new-onset dysfunctions. We had 113 (72%) respondents. There was a significant increase in the prevalence of bladder and bowel dysfunctions poststroke (p < 0.001). Higher stroke severity was significantly associated with both new-onset poststroke bladder and bowel dysfunctions (OR = 15.00, 95% CI [4.92,45.76] and OR = 5.87,95%CI [2.14,16.12], respectively). Total anterior circulation strokes, cardioembolic strokes, and lower functionality at discharge were also significantly associated with both dysfunctions. Thirteen patients (11.5%) reported that health professionals addressed these dysfunctions. Poststroke bladder and bowel dysfunctions are highly prevalent. Being aware of their epidemiology helps draw attention to patients at higher risk of developing these dysfunctions, enhancing the rehabilitation process. Poststroke bladder and bowel dysfunctions are highly prevalent and under-recognised consequences of stroke. Being aware of their epidemiology and associated factors may help identify patients at higher risk of developing these dysfunctions. It is necessary to raise clinical awareness to ensure a more efficient diagnostic and therapeutic approach, enhancing patients' rehabilitation process, quality of life and lowering collateral societal burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To characterize the susceptibilities of positive bacterial cultures and the appropriateness of empiric antimicrobial regimens for patients admitted from post–acute care facilities (PACFs). Methods This was a retrospective quality improvement study. The study included patients admitted from a PACF to one of 2 tertiary care teaching hospitals within the University of Pennsylvania Health System, located in Philadelphia, PA, from August 2020 to December 2021. Patients were included if they had at least one positive culture within 72 hours of admission. Results A total of 167 patients and 230 isolates from the study period were evaluated. The majority of positive cultures were from a urinary source (114 of 230, 49.6%). Nineteen patients (11.4%) had a history of multidrug-resistant organisms. The most common empiric antibiotics used were vancomycin (61.7%) and cefepime (59.3%). Sixty-one patients (36.5%) received inappropriate empiric therapy based on the culture results. When comparing our hospitals' general antibiogram to that of only PACF patients, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae had at least a 20% difference in susceptibility to levofloxacin, ceftriaxone, and cefepime. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase resistance was also higher in the PACF cohort (odds ratio, 2.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-3.1). Conclusion Clinically significant differences in antimicrobial susceptibility were found among patients admitted from PACFs compared to our health system's general antibiogram. The increased resistance rates identified in this study support the need for hospitals to evaluate this at-risk patient population, which may drive changes to empiric antibiotic prescribing practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Until now, a treatment protocol for Achilles tendon re-rupture (ATRR) occurring in the postoperative period 5–12 weeks following primary Achilles tendon repair has not been established. We refer to this time frame as the subacute postoperative phase, and the objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of conservative treatment for subacute ATRR in this phase. Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 390 cases (385 patients) who had undergone primary Achilles tendon repair using the 4-strand Krachow method between January 2010 and August 2021. All patients were subjected to more than 12 months of follow-up and were categorized into two groups based on the presence of subacute ATRR: Group 1 comprised 370 cases without ATRR, while Group 2 comprised 20 cases with ATRR. Following confirmation of ATRR, we immediately applied a below-knee cast in an ankle plantar flexed position (25°–30°), followed by bracing according to the same rehabilitation plan used for the primary repair. After administering conservative treatment to the patients with ATRR, we compared several outcome parameters between the two groups, including isokinetic plantar flexion power measured using a dynamometer, time required for a single heel raise (t-SHR), time needed for ten repetitive SHRs (t-SHR10), Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS), and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) scores. The baseline timepoints for Groups 1 and 2 were the dates of the primary repair and the re-injury event. Results: After primary Achilles tendon repair, subacute ATRR occurred in 5.1% of patients. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of t-SHR and t-SHR10 (P = 0.281, 0.486). Similarly, the isokinetic dynamometer measurements revealed no significant differences in peak torque for plantar flexion at angular velocities of 30°/s and 120°/s, both in absolute values and as a percentage of the contralateral side, between the groups (P > 0.05 for each). However, ATRSs were significantly lower in Group 2 compared to Group 1 before 6 months (P < 0.05), as were FAAM-Activities of Daily Living scores at 6 months (P < 0.05). After 12 months, there were no significant differences in these scores between the two groups (both P > 0.05). Conclusion: Conservative treatment for subacute ATRR following primary Achilles tendon repair yields clinical outcomes comparable to those without ATRR. Therefore, we recommend that surgeons consider relying on the patient's natural healing capabilities rather than opting for aggressive surgical interventions, as expediting such operations may be unnecessary for subacute injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis (IFDVT) is associated with an incidence of post‐thrombotic syndrome (PTS) of up to 50%. PTS is associated with high morbidity, impaired quality of life and a significant economic burden. The aim of the current study was to assess the impact of a single session pharmacomechanical thrombectomy (PMT), dedicated venous stents and a risk mitigation protocol on the rate of PTS. Methods: Between 2015 and 2022, patients presenting with acute or subacute IFDVT treated with the same protocol of single session PMT, dedicated venous stents, and risk‐mitigation measures were included. Procedural success rate, complications, stent patency and incidence of PTS were determined. Results: Of 60 patients (58 ± 19 years; 65% male), the procedural success rate was 93%, with 7% of patients experiencing complications but no long‐term sequelae or mortality. Most (n = 52; 87%) patients were stented, including 46% across the inguinal ligament. At 3 months post‐procedure, primary, assisted primary and secondary stent patency rates were 89%, 93% and 98%, respectively, with no loss of patency or re‐interventions after that. At latest follow‐up of a median 48 months (n = 32), stent patency rate was 97%, with only three patients (9%) experiencing symptoms of PTS. Conclusion: Single session PMT, dedicated venous stents and a risk‐mitigation protocol results in high success rate, excellent long‐term stent patency and low incidence of PTS without compromising safety. These results support early intervention for iliofemoral DVT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Skilled nursing facility (SNF) care has historically been influenced by systemic issues that could impact speech-language pathology (SLP) service provision. However, there has been little study specifically on factors associated with SLP service provision in SNFs. Large administrative data sets are rarely analyzed in SLP research but can be used to understand real-world SLP services. This study investigated associations between patient and facility characteristics and SLP services. Method: Mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to evaluate factors associated with SLP service provision in 2018 Medicare administrative data representing 833,653 beneficiaries. Results: Beneficiaries had higher odds of receiving SLP services when they had neurologic diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] = 3.32), had SLP-related functional impairments (ORs = 1.19-3.41), and received other rehabilitative services (ORs = 3.11- 3.78). Beneficiaries had lower odds of receiving SLP services when they received care from SNFs located in hospitals versus freestanding (OR = 0.45), with need for interpreter services (OR = 0.76) and with thresholding (OR = 0.68), a financially motivated practice. Direction of association varied across racial and ethnic groups and measures of location. Odds of being provided SLP services decreased with increasing communication impairment severity. Conclusions: The results suggest that clinicians are identifying patients with diagnoses most likely to warrant SLP services. However, association disparities and weakening association of service provision with increasing impairment severity have concerning clinical implications. Health services research methods can be used to further explore SLP practices in SNFs to support equitable service provision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To identify meaningful changes in patients in 3 functional domains (basic mobility [BM], daily activity [DA], and applied cognition [AC]) after discharge from inpatient stroke rehabilitation and to identify the predictors of 1-year functional improvement. A longitudinal, multicenter, prospective cohort study. The acute care wards of 3 hospitals in the Greater Taipei area of Taiwan. Five hundred patients with stroke in acute care wards (mean age=60±12.2 years, 62% men, N=500). Not applicable. The Mandarin version of the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care (AM-PAC) short forms were assessed at discharge and 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. The minimal detectable change (MDC) was used to categorize changes in the scores as improved and unimproved at the 4 time points. The mean scores of the AM-PAC BM and DA subscales substantially increased over the first 3 months after discharge (86% of participants exhibited improvement) and slightly increased during the subsequent 9 months (5∼26% of participants exhibited improvement). However, the mean score of the AC subscale decreased within the first 3 months and increased over the subsequent 9 months (22-23% of participants exhibited improvement). The BM, AC scores at discharge were the dominant predictors of subsequent functional improvement (P <.05). Patients with a higher functional stage at discharge were more likely to experience significant improvement. This study established the capacity of the AM-PAC to predict functional improvement in 3 domains during the early, middle, and late stages of recovery. The findings can assist clinicians in identifying patients at risk of unfavorable long-term functional recovery and providing such patients with tailored interventions during the early stage of rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background The short Dutch Safety Management Screening (DSMS) is applied at hospital admission of all patients aged >70 years to assess vulnerability. Screening of four geriatric domains aims to prevent adverse outcomes and may support targeted discharge planning for post-acute care. We explored whether the DSMS criteria for acutely admitted patients were associated with rehabilitation-oriented care needs. Methods This retrospective cohort study included community-dwelling patients aged ≥70 years acutely admitted to a tertiary hospital. We recorded patient demographics, morbidity, functional status, malnutrition, fall risk, and delirium and used descriptive analysis to calculate the risks by comparing the discharge destination groups. Results Among 491 hospital discharges, 349 patients (71.1%) returned home, 60 (12.2%) were referred for geriatric rehabilitation, and 82 (16.7%) to other inpatient post-acute care. Non-home referrals increased with age from 21% (70–80 years) to 61% (>90 years). A surgical diagnosis (odds ratio [OR]=4.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.03–11.95), functional decline represented by Katz-activities of daily living positive screening (OR=3.79; 95% CI, 1.76–8.14), and positive fall risk (OR=2.87; 95% CI, 1.31–6.30) were associated with non-home discharge. The Charlson Comorbidity Index did not differ significantly between the groups. Conclusion Admission diagnosis and vulnerability screening outcomes were associated with discharge to rehabilitation-oriented care in patients >70 years of age. The usual care data from DSMS vulnerability screening can raise awareness of discharge complexity and provide opportunities to support timely and personalized transitional care.

Objective: This study focused on routine computed tomography imaging for aortic disease management and evaluated the trajectory of skeletal muscle changes through inpatient and outpatient cardiac rehabilitation. Design: Prospective observational study included patients who underwent abdominal computed tomography three times (baseline, postacute care, and follow-up). The area and density of the allabdominal and erector spine muscles and intramuscular adipose tissue were measured. A generalized linear model with patients as random effects was used to investigate skeletal muscle changes. Results: Thirty-nine patients completed outpatient cardiac rehabilitation, and 60 were incomplete. Skeletal muscle area significantly decreased from baseline to the follow-up period only in the incomplete rehabilitation group. Skeletal muscle density significantly decreased from baseline to postacute care and increased at the follow-up period, but only patients who completed rehabilitation showed recovery up to baseline at the follow-up period. These trajectories were more pronounced in the erector spine muscle. Intramuscular adipose tissue showed a trend of gradual increase, but only the incomplete rehabilitation group showed a significant difference from baseline to the follow-up period. Conclusions: The density of skeletal muscle may reflect the most common clinical course; skeletal muscle area and intramuscular adipose tissue are unlikely to improve positively, and their maintenance seemed optimal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical effectiveness of robot-assisted therapy with that of conventional occupational therapy according to the onset and severity of stroke. Methods: In this multicenter randomized controlled trial, stroke patients were randomized (1:1) to receive robot-assisted therapy or conventional occupational therapy. The robot-assisted training group received 30 min of robot-assisted therapy twice and 30 min of conventional occupational therapy daily, while the conventional therapy group received 90 min of occupational therapy. Therapy was conducted 5 days/week for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) score after 4 and 8 weeks of therapy. Results: Overall, 113 and 115 patients received robot-assisted and conventional therapy, respectively. The WMFT score after robot-assisted therapy was not significantly better than that after conventional therapy, but there were significant improvements in the Motricity Index (trunk) and the Fugl–Meyer Assessment. After robot-assisted therapy, wrist strength significantly improved in the subacute or moderate-severity group of stroke patients. Conclusions: Robot-assisted therapy improved the upper-limb functions and activities of daily living (ADL) performance as much as conventional occupational therapy. In particular, it showed signs of more therapeutic effectiveness in the subacute stage or moderate-severity group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dying in nonpalliative acute care is generally considered inappropriate and avoidable. Place of death, a commonly reported big-dot indicator of end-of-life care quality, is often used as a proxy for place of care despite no empirical evidence for their correlations. Thus, we examined the correlations between place of death and place of care in the last month of life. We also investigated anecdotal claims that individuals cared in acute care often get discharged to die at home, and vice versa. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of Ontario decedents (18+) who died between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2017. We identified individuals who died in nonpalliative acute care, palliative care unit, subacute care, long-term care (LTC), and the community. We calculated the number of days decedents spent in each setting in their last month of life, and used descriptive analyses to investigate their correlations. Results: Decedent's place of death generally correlated with their place of care in the last month of life—individuals who died in a particular setting spent more time in that setting than individuals who died elsewhere. Furthermore, 75.0% of individuals who spent more than two weeks of their last month in acute care died in acute care. Among individuals who died in the community and in LTC, 65.4% and 75.0%, respectively, spent zero days in acute care. Interpretation: We showed that place of death can be a useful high-level performance indicator, by itself and as a proxy for place of care, to gauge end-of-life quality and service provision/implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The implementation and evaluation of patient participation to obtain high‐quality transitional care for older people is an international priority. Intermediate care (IC) services are regarded as an important part of the patient's pathway from the specialist to the primary care levels, bridging the gap between the hospital and the home. Patients may experience varying capacities and conditions for patient participation. Yet, few tools for evaluating patients' preferences for patient participation within IC services are at hand. Accordingly, further knowledge is needed to understand and scaffold processes for patient participation in IC. Therefore, the aim of this project was to translate, validate and pilot test the Patient Preferences for Patient Participation (the 4Ps) with patients in IC services in Norway. Methods: This project comprised two phases: (1) a careful translation and cultural adaptation process, followed by a content validity trial among 15 patients and staff in Norwegian IC and (2) a cross‐sectional survey of the instrument with 60 patients admitted to IC. Results: The translation between Swedish and Norwegian required no conceptual or contextual adaptations. The subsequent cross‐sectional study, designed as a dialogue between the patients and staff, revealed that only 50% of the participants received a sufficient level of patient participation based on their preferences, mostly indicating that patients were receiving less‐than‐preferred conditions for engaging in their health and healthcare issues. Conclusion: The 4Ps instrument was deemed suitable for measuring patient participation based on patient preferences in the IC context and was feasible for both healthcare professionals and patients to complete in an interview when arriving at and leaving services. This may support person‐centred communication and collaboration, calling for further research on what facilitates patient participation and the implementation of person‐centred services for patients in IC. Patient or Public Contribution: First, the current paper is part of the IPIC study (i.e., the implementation of patient participation in IC). Influenced by a James Lind Alliance process, the study addresses research uncertainties identified by patients, next of kin, staff and researchers in the cocreation process. Second, cognitive interviewing was conducted with 15 representatives of the target population: seven patients receiving IC services, one home‐dwelling previous IC patient (altogether four women and four men, most of them 80 years or older) and seven healthcare staff working in IC services. The interviews determined the relevance, comprehensiveness and clarity of the 4Ps. Finally, 60 patients admitted to IC took part in the cross‐sectional study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The incidence of neurological complications associated with nitrous oxide (N2O) abuse, including N2O-induced myelopathy and neuropathy, has risen in the past decade. N2O-induced neuropathy often presents as a subacute axonal pathology; however, demyelinating patterns mimicking Guillain–Barré syndrome have also been observed. This study explores the metabolic pathophysiology of N2O-induced neuropathy, focusing on the alteration in metabolism to provide a deeper understanding of the biochemical pathways influencing the diverse electrophysiological patterns observed. Methods: We conducted a combined metabolic and electrophysiological exploration of 35 patients who underwent electromyographic exams at our referral center over a three-year period for sensorimotor symptoms linked to recreational N2O use. We collected demographic, clinical, radiological, electrophysiological, and biological data. Patients were categorized into axonal or demyelinating groups based on their electrophysiological patterns, and metabolic parameters were compared. Results: Our cohort predominantly exhibited a length-dependent sensorimotor axonal symmetrical neuropathy affecting the lower limbs. Among the patients, 40% met the demyelinating criteria, with four patients exhibiting conduction blocks. The demyelinating group had a significantly higher peripheral neuropathy disability (PND) score at diagnosis. Elevated homocysteine and methylmalonic acid (MMA) levels were noted in all patients, but these were lower in the demyelinating group. Conclusions: This study highlights the diverse electrophysiological manifestations of N2O-induced neuropathy and underscores the potential role of metabolic parameters as biomarkers to understand its pathophysiology. Lower hyperhomocysteinemia and MMA levels were observed in demyelinating patterns. In this study, we did not observe further improvement, but it is well-known that demyelinating features have a better prognosis related to the further remyelination. These findings contribute to a better understanding of N2O-related neuropathic damage and could guide future therapeutic interventions based on biochemical–neurophysiological stratifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intermediate care units (IMCUs) have become increasingly important in the care of critical and semi-critical patients, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is still no clear definition of their structural characteristics, specialties, types of patients, and the benefits they provide. The aim of this work is to describe the current state of implementation and operation of IMCUs in hospitals and patient care. To achieve this goal, a systematic review was conducted in the Web of Science, Scopus and CINAHL databases, along with a hand search. The research yielded 419 documents, of which 26 were included in this review after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results were highly diverse and were categorized based on the following topics: material resources, human resources, continuity of care, and patient benefits. Despite the different objectives outlined in the studies, all of them demonstrate the numerous benefits provided by an IMCU, along with the increased relevance of this type of unit in recent years. Therefore, this systematic review highlights the benefits of IMCUs in the care of critical patients, as well as the role of health workers in these units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]