Good death from the perspective of geriatric nursing homes’ staff members

Abstract More and more people with dementia are living in nursing homes (NH). Often, they depend on NH staff for help with eating and drinking. It is important that staff have the skills and support they need to provide good care at mealtimes. This qualitative study explores mealtime care for people with dementia, from the perspective of NH staff. Semi-structured interviews with NH staff (n=16) were carried out in two nursing homes. The homes were chosen to have diverse characteristics: one home had a large number of beds and was part of a small local organization; the other had a small number of beds and was part of a large national organization. Various staff members were interviewed, including direct care staff, senior carers, nurses, managers, and kitchen staff. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. A constant comparison approach was taken, so that data from early interviews were explored in more depth subsequently. From the analysis, five themes emerged as important in mealtime care for people with dementia living in nursing homes: Setting the right tone; Working well as a team; Knowing the residents; Promoting autonomy and independence; Gently persevering. This work forms part of a larger ethnographic study on the topic, which includes data from residents with dementia, and family carers. Results will inform the development of a staff training intervention to optimize mealtime care for this population.

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How staff members of 17 French nursing homes protected their residents from Covid-19

Gériatrie et Psychologie Neuropsychiatrie du Viellissement ◽

10.1684/pnv.2021.0951 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 243-244

Author(s):

Joël Belmin ◽

Nathavy Um Din ◽

Sylvie Pariel ◽

Carmelo Lafuente-Lafuente

Keyword(s):

Nursing Homes ◽

Staff Members

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Characterizing Workflow to Inform Clinical Decision Support Systems in Nursing Homes

The Gerontologist ◽

10.1093/geront/gny100 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 59 (6) ◽

pp. 1024-1033 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Mustafa Ozkaynak ◽

Blaine Reeder ◽

Cynthia Drake ◽

Peter Ferrarone ◽

Barbara Trautner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Decision Support ◽

Data Analysis ◽

Nursing Homes ◽

Clinical Decision Support ◽

Care Delivery ◽

Clinical Decision Support Systems ◽

Clinical Decision ◽

Staff Members ◽

Design And Implementation ◽

Multiple Levels

Abstract Background and Objectives Clinical decision support systems (CDSS) hold promise to influence clinician behavior at the point of care in nursing homes (NHs) and improving care delivery. However, the success of these interventions depends on their fit with workflow. The purpose of this study was to characterize workflow in NHs and identify implications of workflow for the design and implementation of CDSS in NHs. Research Design and Methods We conducted a descriptive study at 2 NHs in a metropolitan area of the Mountain West Region of the United States. We characterized clinical workflow in NHs, conducting 18 observation sessions and interviewing 15 staff members. A multilevel work model guided our data collection and framework method guided data analysis. Results The qualitative analysis revealed specific aspects of multilevel workflow in NHs: (a) individual, (b) work group/unit, (c) organization, and (d) industry levels. Data analysis also revealed several additional themes regarding workflow in NHs: centrality of ongoing relationships of staff members with the residents to care delivery in NHs, resident-centeredness of care, absence of memory aids, and impact of staff members’ preferences on work activities. We also identified workflow-related differences between the two settings. Discussion and Implications Results of this study provide a rich understanding of the characteristics of workflow in NHs at multiple levels. The design of CDSS in NHs should be informed by factors at multiple levels as well as the emergent processes and contextual factors. This understanding can allow for incorporating workflow considerations into CDSS design and implementation.

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Covid-19-vaccinatie en antistofbepaling bij bewoners en personeel van 2 Lanakense woonzorgcentra in de lente van 2021

Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde ◽

10.47671/tvg.77.21.089 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

F. BUNTINX ◽

I. ASNONG ◽

M. GULIKERS ◽

G. VAES ◽

H. DEWITTE ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nursing Home ◽

Nursing Homes ◽

Vaccination Campaign ◽

Nursing Home Residents ◽

Young Female ◽

Negative Association ◽

Antibody Testing ◽

Post Vaccination ◽

Staff Members ◽

Antibody Titres

Uptake and results of Covid-19 vaccination during a pandemic in nursing home residents and staff This study involves the participation of residents and staff of 2 Flemish nursing homes in the Covid-19 vaccination program, as well as the subsequent presence and titres of Covid-19 antibodies. With 1 exception, all 259 residents and 94% of the eligible staff members (n = 237) were vaccinated, 16 young female staff members were vaccinated with some delay because of pregnancy and fertility related fears. Post-vaccination SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing was performed in 214 (83%) residents and 201 (85%) staff members. Of these, respectively 98% and 100% had SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. A clear negative association was found between antibody titres and age. Within these nursing homes (and a number of surrounding nursing homes) the vaccination campaign was successful as well as effective.

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The Breakfast Club – co-creational meal practices as rehabilitation strategies in nursing homes

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckz185.477 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽

Author(s):

L Justesen ◽

U Walter ◽

N H Kristensen ◽

A M Beck

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Nursing Homes ◽

Photo Elicitation ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Mean Values ◽

Staff Members ◽

Public Health Activity ◽

Analysis Strategy

Abstract Background A growing aging population demands new welfare public health activities in nursing homes. Involving residents in meal activity through a co-creational approach as part of a rehabilitation strategy has been suggested as a solution, but knowledge is limited. This project explore how co-creational meal practices in a breakfast club might improve residents’ food related functionality and quality of life. Methods The project is designed as a three-year complex intervention study in a Danish nursing home. A breakfast club is held with 4-5 residents (16 all together) and 2-6 staff members on a weekly basis during a period of 10 month. Residents are on shift hosting the club and all members are preparing the meal together. The degree of food related functionality is assessed after each club and is analyzed through paired t-test on mean values. Semi-structured interviews in combination with Research Driven Photo-Elicitation is conducted with 16 residents and 8-10 staff members before, during and after holding the clubs in order to evaluate quality of life and potentials for implementing meal practices to everyday practices. A hermeneutic analysis strategy is applied. Results Preliminary results from 12 breakfast clubs finds an increase in residents food related functionality. Data will be presented in November 2019. All residents express impact on quality of life independent of physical or mental state. Improved functionality is not the main value for participation in the breakfast club. Staff became aware of utilizing residents food related functionality. Conclusions The study will contribute with new knowledge about whether co-creational meal activities could have a positive effect on functional abilities and improve health-related quality of life in residents in nursing homes. A meal practice based on co-creation has potential to become implemented as a public health activity in nursing homes and increase residents’ quality of life and food related functionality.

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Staff exchange within and between nursing homes in The Netherlands and potential implications for MRSA transmission

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268816002831 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 145 (4) ◽

pp. 739-745 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

R. D. VAN GAALEN ◽

H. A. HOPMAN ◽

A. HAENEN ◽

C. VAN DEN DOOL

Keyword(s):

Nursing Home ◽

Nursing Homes ◽

The Netherlands ◽

Exploratory Study ◽

Large Network ◽

Nursing Home Staff ◽

Staff Members ◽

Study Participants ◽

Staff Exchange ◽

National Prevalence

SUMMARYA recent countrywide MRSA spa-type 1081 outbreak in The Netherlands predominantly affected nursing homes, generating questions on how infection spreads within and between nursing homes despite a low national prevalence. Since the transfer of residents between nursing homes is uncommon in The Netherlands, we hypothesized that staff exchange plays an important role in transmission. This exploratory study investigated the extent of former (last 2 years) and current staff exchange within and between nursing homes in The Netherlands. We relied on a questionnaire that was targeted towards nursing-home staff members who had contact with residents. We found that 17·9% and 12·4% of the nursing-home staff formerly (last 2 years) or currently worked in other healthcare institutes besides their job in the nursing home through which they were selected to participate in this study. Moreover, 39·7% of study participants worked on more than one ward. Our study shows that, in The Netherlands, nursing-home staff form a substantial number of links between wards within nursing homes and nursing homes are linked to a large network of healthcare institutes through their staff members potentially providing a pathway for MRSA transmission between nursing homes and throughout the country.

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Getting Along in Assisted Living: Quality of Relationships Between Family Members and Staff

The Gerontologist ◽

10.1093/geront/gnaa057 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 60 (8) ◽

pp. 1445-1455 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Francesca Falzarano ◽

M Carrington Reid ◽

Leslie Schultz ◽

Rhoda H Meador ◽

Karl Pillemer

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Nursing Homes ◽

Assisted Living ◽

Interpersonal Conflict ◽

Family Members ◽

Female Gender ◽

Assisted Living Facilities ◽

Family Outcomes ◽

Staff Members ◽

Negative Interactions

Abstract Background and Objectives Assisted living facilities (ALFs) have quickly expanded as an alternative to nursing homes. Research on nursing homes has revealed problems in relationships between family members and staff. However, little is known about these relationships within ALFs. The purpose of the current study was to examine the prevalence of conflict and positive and negative interactions from the perspective of both family members and staff and to examine the effects of positive and negative aspects of the relationship on salient staff and family outcomes in ALFs. Research Design and Methods Data were collected from 252 family members and 472 staff members across 20 ALFs who participated in the Partners in Care in Assisted Living study. Participants completed measures including interpersonal conflict, depressive symptoms, perception of treatment, and stress related to caregiving. Results Conflict among family and staff members was found to be relatively low. For staff, interpersonal conflict and treatment by family members significantly predicted burnout and depressive symptoms. For families, only female gender significantly predicted burden. Subgroup analyses, however, indicated that the effect of interpersonal conflict was significantly associated with perceived caregiver burden among family members whose relative had dementia. Discussion and Implications Despite the relatively harmonious relationships among family–staff in ALFs, sources of conflict and negative interactions were identified, revealing the importance of collaborative relationships and the influence these relationships have on both family and staff outcomes. These findings can inform intervention efforts to improve family–staff interactions within ALFs.

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Sound environment quality in nursing units in Chinese nursing homes: A pilot study

Building Acoustics ◽

10.1177/1351010x20914237 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 27 (4) ◽

pp. 283-298

Author(s):

Hui Xie ◽

Bingzhi Zhong ◽

Chang Liu

Keyword(s):

Nursing Homes ◽

Nursing Staff ◽

Noise Level ◽

Background Noise ◽

Subjective Evaluation ◽

Reverberation Time ◽

Staff Members ◽

Background Noise Level ◽

Sound Environment ◽

Nursing Station

Recent studies have investigated sound environment in nursing homes. However, there has been little research on the sound environment of nursing units. This research sought to address this gap. Subjective evaluations were gathered using questionnaire surveys of 75 elderly residents and 30 nursing staff members in five nursing units of five nursing homes in Chongqing, China. Background noise level and reverberation time were measured in five empty bedrooms, five occupied bedrooms and five occupied nursing station areas, in five nursing units. The subjective evaluation results indicate that the residents stay in the nursing units for most of their waking hours. The residents and nursing staff had strong preferences for natural sounds, with the lowest perceptions of these in the nursing units. The background noise level in all the occupied bedrooms exceeded Chinese standards for waking and sleeping hours. Only 20% of the occupied nursing station areas were below the allowable noise level for recreation and fitness room during sleeping hours. The nursing station area was identified as the main source of noise in the unit during waking hours. The average background noise level of the occupied bedrooms was 3–12 dBA higher than that of the empty bedrooms during sleeping hours. Attention should be given to the implementation of noise specifications for sleeping hours. The reverberation time of the bedrooms was within the range of 0.44–0.68 s, and in the nursing station areas it was 0.63–1.54 s.

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