Unexplained Absences and Risk of Death and Injury Among Nursing Home Residents: A Systematic Review

Unexplained absence resulting in deaths of nursing home residents in Australia—A 13‐year retrospective study

“…1,19,30 These groups are not comparable as they differ in their opportunity to leave their dwelling and overall health and cognitive status. Earlier studies have combined populations residing in the community and NH.…”

“…Earlier studies, mostly conducted in the United States, also cited environmental factors, in particular prolonged exposure, as the most common cause of death. 1,7,31,32,41 This information provides valuable insight for search and rescue teams. 17 The findings from our study suggest that NH services should consider their approach to staffing and practice during morning nursing shift hours.…”

“…Earlier studies have combined populations residing in the community and NH. 1,19,30 These groups are not comparable as they differ in their opportunity to leave their dwelling and overall health and cognitive status. 19,31 We found 0.04% (n = 7) natural and 0.52% (n = 17) external cause deaths of NH residents reported to the coroner over a 13-year study period were attributed to unexplained absences.…”

“…There is a paucity of current empirical research, 1 and what exists is narrowly focussed on investigating interventions to reduce unexplained absence events 11,12 and identifying person's most atrisk. 4,13 These studies report unexplained absences as a high-risk activity associated with injury and death.…”

“…15 Few studies have examined the individual, organisational, environmental, and unexplained absence event factors specifically in the NH population. 1,7,16,17 If the true burden and profile of the event are unknown, then management strategies may be inappropriate and ineffective.…”