ALTERNATIVE NURSING ENVIRONMENTS: Do They Affect Hospital Outcomes?

Abstract

1. A dayroom program focused intensively on functional needs and was implemented for confused geriatric inpatients who otherwise might have been restrained or required sitters. 2. There were fewer complications from hospitalization documented for dayroom patients. 3. There was an increase in family satisfaction regarding the nursing care provided for patients in the alternative environment.

Effects of hospital-wide interventions to improve care for frail older inpatients: a systematic review

“…The mean age of the population varied from 74.2 to 85.8 years across studies. Whereas most studies used age to select a frail population or selected frail patients during the intervention, seven of the included studies used additional criteria to select frail inpatients 17 19 22 23 25 28–30. As for the location of the intervention, one study described an intervention starting in the Emergency Department,30 whereas the other studies describe interventions initiated at general medical wards.…”

“…As for the location of the intervention, one study described an intervention starting in the Emergency Department,30 whereas the other studies describe interventions initiated at general medical wards. All but two studies set up multidisciplinary teams; these two studies only made structural changes in physical environment and/or site of service delivery 23 30. Four studies initiated, in addition to a multidisciplinary team, an intervention including modifications of the physical environment 12 23 24 27.…”

“…All but two studies set up multidisciplinary teams; these two studies only made structural changes in physical environment and/or site of service delivery 23 30. Four studies initiated, in addition to a multidisciplinary team, an intervention including modifications of the physical environment 12 23 24 27. In seven studies, the main providers of the intervention were nurses 12 18 20 23 24 27 30.…”

“…Four studies initiated, in addition to a multidisciplinary team, an intervention including modifications of the physical environment 12 23 24 27. In seven studies, the main providers of the intervention were nurses 12 18 20 23 24 27 30. In one study, the main providers of care were rehabilitation staff 16.…”

“…Of these, five studies (four Geriatric Consultation Teams (GCT),17 18 22 25 one dayroom23) showed significant effects for patients in the intervention group on mental health, emotional or cognitive status. Three studies (two GCT,19 28 one Acute Care for Elders unit24) demonstrated significant improvements in physical outcomes.…”