Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Carolina Tisnado Garland, Line Guenette, Edeltraut Kroeger, Pierre-Hugues Carmichael, Rachel Rouleau, Caroline Sirois
Summary: The new pharmaceutical care model significantly reduces polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication use in long-term care facilities. Reorganizing care and increasing the professional autonomy of healthcare providers can optimize pharmaceutical care.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Emanuele Rocco Villani, Domenico Fusco, Laura Franza, Graziano Onder, Roberto Bernabei, Giuseppe Ferdinando Colloca
Summary: Up to 26% of residents in European nursing homes are affected by cancer, presenting a unique set of characteristics. Further studies are required to assess the impact of a supportive care approach on cancer patients in nursing homes throughout all stages of care.
AGING CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Hanna-Maria Roitto, Ulla L. L. Aalto, Hanna Ohman, Riitta K. T. Saarela, Hannu Kautiainen, Karoliina Salminen, Kaisu H. H. Pitkala
Summary: This study aimed to explore the association between medication use and the incidence of falls, related consequences, and all-cause mortality among long-term care residents. The results showed that polypharmacy, opioid and anticholinergic medication use were closely associated with increased fall rates in long-term care. Additionally, the use of more than 10 medications predicted higher all-cause mortality. It is important to pay special attention to both the type and number of medications when prescribing for long-term care.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Kevin W. McConeghy, Michael Cinque, Elizabeth M. White, Richard A. Feifer, Carolyn Blackman, Vincent Mor, Stefan Gravenstein, Andrew R. Zullo
Summary: During the COVID-19 pandemic, a large nursing home chain implemented a policy to temporarily hold potentially unnecessary medications, resulting in the discontinuation of a plurality of 'nonessential' medications. This type of organization-wide initiative may be an effective mechanism for altering future prescribing behaviors to reduce the use of unnecessary medications.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Asmaa Abdelbary, Rasha Kaddoura, Sara Al Balushi, Shiema Ahmed, Richard Galvez, Afif Ahmed, Abdulqadir J. Nashwan, Shaikha Alnaimi, Moza Al Hail, Salah Elbdri
Summary: The study finds no correlation between higher MRCI scores and rates of hospital readmission or mortality in elderly patients with HF, suggesting that MRCI may not be a significant predictor in this population.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Norazida Ab Rahman, Ming Tsuey Lim, Shantini Thevendran, Najwa Ahmad Hamdi, Sheamini Sivasampu
Summary: This study assessed medication burden, regimen complexity, and adherence among T2DM patients and found that high medication count and regimen complexity were associated with poor glycemic control, while adherence was inversely associated with HbA1c level. These parameters can be used to identify patients with complex pharmacotherapy regimens for targeted interventions to achieve optimum outcomes and ease of self-care.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Deniz Cetin-Sahin, Greta G. Cummings, Genevieve Gore, Isabelle Vedel, Mark Karanofsky, Phillippe Voyer, Brian Gore, Ovidiu Lungu, Machelle Wilchesky
Summary: This study aims to develop a taxonomy of interventions for reducing ED transfers and/or hospitalizations from LTC homes. The research included searching for experimental and comparative observational studies and using an inductive-deductive thematic analysis to identify intervention categories and components. Results showed six intervention categories and four components, with an increasing use of technology in interventions. The proposed taxonomy can guide future intervention designs and facilitate systematic reviews and precise effect size estimations.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Article
Gerontology
Jennifer Baumbusch, Heather A. Cooke, Isabel Sloan Yip
Summary: This study conducted a critical ethnographic research on the involvement of family members in LTC homes in British Columbia, Canada from 2014 to 2018. The findings reveal that family members play a crucial role in filling the gaps caused by understaffing and lack of resources in LTC homes. They respond to the needs of residents, support staff in meeting residents' needs, and provide care for residents who do not have their own family members present. Formal policies and legislation should be established to recognize and support family involvement in caring for nonrelative residents as it contributes to the overall quality of care.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Shin J. Liau, Shota Hamada, Agathe D. Jadczak, Nobuo Sakata, Samanta Lalic, Rumiko Tsuchiya-Ito, Reina Taguchi, Renuka Visvanathan, J. Simon Bell
Summary: This study investigated the use of symptomatic and preventive medications according to age and frailty in Australian and Japanese nursing homes. The results showed that in Australia, the ratio of symptomatic to preventive medications was higher with increasing frailty but lower with age. In Japan, there was no significant difference in the mean number of symptomatic and preventive medications irrespective of age and frailty.
AGING CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Justine Marienne, Solene M. Laville, Pauline Caillard, Benjamin Batteux, Valerie Gras-Champel, Kamel Masmoudi, Gabriel Choukroun, Sophie Liabeuf
Summary: The study found that kidney transplant recipients had higher drug burden and MRCI at all time points after transplantation compared to before transplantation, with diabetes and dyslipidemia being associated with an elevated MRCI at M12.
KIDNEY INTERNATIONAL REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Jagadish Rangrej, Sam Kaufman, Sping Wang, Aidin Kerem, John Hirdes, Michael P. Hillmer, Kamil Malikov
Summary: The study focuses on predicting unexpected deaths among long-term care (LTC) residents and compares multiple methods for prediction. The XGBoost model outperforms other models in calibration and discrimination. The combination of three models can help monitor mortality differences at the facility level and is important for quality assurance and surveillance.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Abdelaziz Laouadi, Lili Ji, Chang Shu, Liangzhu Leon Wang, Michael A. Lacasse
Summary: Climate heat waves in urban areas pose a serious threat to public health. This study developed a method to generate health-based limit criteria for overheating in long-term care homes by combining building simulation and bioheat models. The criteria take into account body dehydration and core temperature of older residents during overheating events. The models were calibrated using measurements of indoor temperature and humidity, and a procedure was developed to identify and quantify overheating events. The new criteria predicted overheating risk consistently with overall thermal comfort during overheating events, in contrast to comfort-based methods.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Rhonda L. Collins, Evelyn M. Williams, Andrea L. Moser, Jobin M. Varughese, Benoit Robert
Summary: This study investigated the current demographics and practices of LTC Medical Directors in Ontario, uncovering some challenges they face. Medical Directors play a crucial role in LTC and need more recognition and support.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Adam H. Dyer, Aoife Fallon, Claire Noonan, Helena Dolphin, Cliona O'Farrelly, Nollaig M. Bourke, Desmond O'Neill, Sean P. Kennelly
Summary: Older adults in nursing homes are at the highest risk of morbidity and mortality from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Infection prevention and control measures, as well as the use of personal protective equipment, have significantly reduced infections and deaths in nursing homes. Factors such as community transmission levels, nursing home size and quality, for-profit status, and sociodemographic characteristics play important roles in determining the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks. The impact of visitation bans on the well-being of residents, friends or family, and staff needs to be carefully considered.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Bo Kyum Yang, Shannon Idzik, H. Wayne Nelson, Mary Helen McSweeney-Feld
Summary: This study examines the association between employing nurse practitioners (NPs) in nursing homes (NHs) and nursing staff turnover as well as resident care outcomes. The findings suggest that NHs with employed NPs have lower turnover rates for registered nurses and certified nursing assistants, and better outcomes in terms of hospitalizations, infection control citations, and complaints.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Review
Psychiatry
Louise Lord, David McKernon, Luke Grzeskowiak, Sue Kirsa, Jenni Ilomaki
Summary: This systematic review and meta-analysis found a high prevalence of depression and anxiety in people with cystic fibrosis and their caregivers. The prevalence varied across different age groups and populations, and was influenced by the choice of psychometric tool and study location.
SOCIAL PSYCHIATRY AND PSYCHIATRIC EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Monica Jung, Dickson Lukose, Suzanne Nielsen, J. Simon Bell, Geoffrey Webb, Jenni Ilomaki
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted healthcare seeking and delivery, and different Australian jurisdictions implemented varying restrictions. Analyzing national pharmacy dispensing data in Australia, it was found that after nationwide COVID-19 restrictions, the incidence and prevalence of opioid dispensing decreased in Victoria, New South Wales, and other jurisdictions. However, in Victoria post-lockdown, both the incidence and prevalence increased. There were no significant changes in the initiation of long-term opioid use in any jurisdiction. More stringent restrictions were associated with greater reductions in overall opioid initiation, but not in long-term opioid use initiation.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
George S. Q. Tan, Erica K. Sloan, Pete Lambert, Carl M. J. Kirkpatrick, Jenni Ilomaki
Summary: The use of real-world data in drug repurposing is advantageous for supplementing de novo drug discovery and incorporating real-world evidence in regulatory approvals. A scoping review analyzed 250 studies, including hypothesis generation, hypothesis validation, and safety assessment. Challenges include isolated data sources, false-positive signals, bias and confounding in hypothesis validation, and the lack of regulatory guidance.
DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY
(2023)
Letter
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Zachary A. Marcum, Zhaoli Dai, Edwin C. K. Tan
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Esa Y. H. Chen, Jiaxi Zhao, Jenni Ilomaki, Janet K. Sluggett, J. Simon Bell, Barbara C. Wimmer, Sarah N. Hilmer, Joseph E. Blais, Ian C. K. Wong, Esther W. Chan
Summary: This study found that in patients with atrial fibrillation initiating oral anticoagulants, a more complex medication regimen was associated with a higher risk of bleeding, especially beyond 90 days of treatment.
JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES A-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND MEDICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Emily Reeve, Lynn Chenoweth, Mouna Sawan, Tuan Anh Nguyen, Lisa Kalisch Ellett, Julia Gilmartin-Thomas, Edwin Tan, Janet K. Sluggett, Lyntara S. Quirke, Kham Tran, Nagham Ailabouni, Katherine Cowan, Ron Sinclair, Lenore de la Perrelle, Judy Deimel, Josephine To, Stephanie Daly, Craig Whitehead, Sarah N. Hilmer
Summary: Historically, research questions in the pharmaceutical industry and academia have not involved input from consumers and healthcare professionals. This study aimed to address this gap by determining the important questions about medicine use for people with dementia and their care team. Through a thorough qualitative survey, interviews, and literature analysis, a total of 68 research questions were identified, with 67 of them remaining unanswered.
JOURNAL OF ALZHEIMERS DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Tesfahun C. Eshetie, Max Moldovan, Gillian E. Caughey, Catherine Lang, Janet K. Sluggett, Jyoti Khadka, Craig Whitehead, Maria Crotty, Megan Corlis, Renuka Visvanathan, Steve Wesselingh, Maria C. Inacio
Summary: This study aimed to identify predictors and develop a prognostic model for risk of hospitalization with pressure injury (PI) using integrated Australian aged and health care data. The study found that previous history of PI, multiple hospitalizations, traumatic amputation, and skin disease were closely related to the risk of PI. The prognostic model performed well in predicting hospitalization risk with PI, and can be used by health and aged care providers to implement risk-based prevention plans.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Hyesung Lee, Yeon-Hee Baek, Ju Hwan Kim, Tzu-Chi Liao, Wallis C. Y. Lau, Kenneth K. C. Man, Xiwen Qin, Stephen Wood, Jenni Ilomaeki, J. Simon Bell, Edward Chia-Cheng Lai, Miriam T. Y. Leung, Adrienne Y. L. Chan, Celine S. L. Chui, Ian C. K. Wong, Ju-Young Shin
Summary: Polypharmacy among older people represents a global challenge, with higher prevalence in Asian countries such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea. Australia and the United Kingdom have shown decreasing trends in polypharmacy. Monitoring and optimizing medication treatment for older people in Asia is necessary.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Maria C. Inacio, Luke Collier, Tracy Air, Kailash Thapaliya, Maria Crotty, Helena Williams, Steve L. Wesselingh, Andrew Kellie, David Roder, Adrienne Lewis, Gillian Harvey, Janet K. Sluggett, Monica Cations, Tiffany K. Gill, Jyoti Khadka, Gillian E. Caughey
Summary: The study examines the use and trends of primary care, allied health, geriatric, pain, and palliative care services by permanent residential aged care (PRAC) residents and the older Australian population. The results show that the utilization of most services increased over time for both cohorts, but preventive and management care was still low. PRAC residents have low access to pain, palliative, and geriatric medicine services, which may not meet their needs.
AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL ON AGEING
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jessica L. Dawson, Janet K. Sluggett, Nicholas G. Procter, Nicholas Myles, J. Simon Bell
Summary: This study investigates the characteristics of hematological and other cancers in individuals taking clozapine. The findings suggest that clozapine may have a small increased risk of hematological malignancy compared to other antipsychotics.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Noleen Bennett, Brett Morris, Michael J. Malloy, Lyn-li Lim, Eliza Watson, Ann Bull, Janet Sluggett, NISPAC Advisory Grp
Summary: This study evaluated vaccination policies and practices, as well as the vaccination status of residents, in public sector residential aged care services in Victoria. The findings showed high influenza vaccination uptake but lower rates for pneumococcal and herpes zoster vaccinations.
INFECTION DISEASE & HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Abhipree Sharma, Stephen Wood, J. Simon Bell, Miles J. De Blasio, Jenni Ilomaki, Rebecca H. Ritchie
Summary: SGLT2i demonstrated favorable effects in reducing major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in men with type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to GLP-1RAs, but not in women. However, analogous benefits were observed in men aged 65 years and above, men with baseline heart failure, and women with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-WESTERN PACIFIC
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Eliza Watson, Leslie Dowson, David Dunt, Karin Thursky, Leon J. Worth, Janet K. Sluggett, Amanda Appathurai, Noleen Bennett
Summary: The study identified barriers to participation in aged care infection surveillance programs, such as time-consuming data collection, competing tasks, limited understanding among some staff, difficulty engaging clinicians, and staff fatigue post-COVID-19. Enablers included previous experience with surveillance, sharing responsibilities, educational materials, and using data for benchmarking and practice improvement.
Review
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Narisha Prasad, Edward C. Y. Lau, Ilsa Wojt, Jonathan Penm, Zhaoli Dai, Edwin C. K. Tan
Summary: Older adults are at an increased risk of drug-related hospital readmissions after discharge. However, previous studies have reported inconsistent results on the prevalence and associated risk factors for these readmissions.
