Carlsson Lake (ounceserver13)
BACKGROUND Adults who deteriorate outside the ICU have high mortality. Most rapid response systems (RRSs) have employed manual detection processes that rapid response teams (RRTs) use to identify patients at risk. This project piloted the use of an automated early warning system (EWS), based on a very large database, that provides RRTs with 12 hours lead time to mount a response. Results from a 2-hospital pilot were encouraging, so leadership decided to deploy the Advance Alert Monitor (AAM) program in 19 more hospitals. CHALLENGE How can one deploy an RRS using an automated EWS at scale? SOLUTION EWS displays were removed from frontline clinicians' hospital electronic dashboards, and a Virtual Quality Team (VQT) RN was interposed between the EWS and the RRT. VQT RNs monitor the EWS remotely-when alerts are issued, they conduct a preliminary chart review and contact hospital RRT RNs. VQT and RRT RNs review the cases jointly. The RRT RNs then consult with hospitalists regarding clinical rescue and/or palliative care workflows. Subsequently, VQT RNs monitor patient charts, ensuring adherence to RRS practice standards. To enable this process, the project team developed a governance structure, clinical workflows, palliative care workflows, and documentation standards. RESULTS The AAM Program now functions in 21 Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals. VQT RNs monitor EWS alerts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The AAM Program handles ∼16,000 alerts per year. Its implementation has resulted in standardization of RRT staffing, clinical rescue workflows, and in-hospital palliative care. OBJECTIVES We summarized and compared meta-analyses of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions targeting physical health outcomes among people with dementia. DESIGN This is a systematic review and meta-analysis. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS People with dementia, confirmed through validated assessment measures. METHODS Major databases were searched until October 21, 2019. Effect sizes [standardized mean difference (SMD)/Hedges g or risk ratio (RR)] were compared separately. RESULTS Of 3773 search engine hits, 4 meta-analyses were included, representing 31 meta-analyzed trials and 10,054 study participants. Although meta-analyses were generally of adequate high quality, meta-analyzed studies were less so. Nutritional supplements were the only one to show a weight-increasing effect [SMD 0.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.38-0.68, ie, medium effect; N = 12, n = 748]. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are associated with an increased risk for weight loss (RR 2.1, 95% CI 1.5‒3.0; N = 9, n = 7010). For the trea reducing effects. For the treatment of comorbid pain, sensory stimulation and psychosocial interventions are recommended. OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence, rate of underdiagnosis and undertreatment, and association with activities of daily living dependency of spasticity in a nursing home setting. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS This study is an analysis of a deidentified data set generated by a prior quality improvement project at a 240-bed nursing home for residents receiving long-term care or skilled nursing care services. METHODS Each resident was examined by a movement disorders specialist neurologist to determine whether spasticity was present and, if so, the total number of spastic postures present in upper and lower limbs was recorded. Medical records, including the Minimum Data Set, were reviewed for neurologic diagnoses associated with spasticity, activities of daily living (ADL) dependency, and prior documentation of diagnosis and past or current treatments. Ordinary least squares linear regression models were used to evaluate the association between spasticity and ADL dependency. RESULTS Two hundred nine residents (154 women, 81.9 ± 10.9 years) were included in this analysis. Spasticity was present in 22% (45/209) of residents examined by the n
