Strategies for older people living in care homes to prevent urinary tract infection: the StOP UTI realist synthesis.

Background: Urinary tract infection is the most diagnosed infection in older people. It accounts for more than 50% of antibiotic prescriptions in care homes and is a frequent reason for care home residents being hospitalised.

Objective: This realist review developed and refined programme theories for preventing and recognising urinary tract infection, exploring what works, for whom and in what circumstances.

Preventing urinary tract infection in older people living in care homes: the 'StOP UTI' realist synthesis.

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most diagnosed infection in older people living in care homes.

Objective: To identify interventions for recognising and preventing UTI in older people living in care homes in the UK and explain the mechanisms by which they work, for whom and under what circumstances.

Methods: A realist synthesis of evidence was undertaken to develop programme theory underlying strategies to recognise and prevent UTI.

Supporting safe swallowing of care home residents with dysphagia: How does the care delivered compare with guidance from speech and language therapists?

Introduction: Dysphagia affects up to 70% of care home residents, increasing morbidity and hospital admissions. Speech and language therapists make recommendations to support safe nutrition but have limited capacity to offer ongoing guidance. This study aimed to understand if recommendations made to support safe and effective care are implemented and how these relate to the actual care delivered.

Identifying patients at increased risk of non-ventilator-associated pneumonia on admission to hospital: a pragmatic prognostic screening tool to trigger preventative action.

Background: Non-ventilator healthcare-associated pneumonia (NV-HAP) is an important healthcare-associated infection. This study tested the feasibility of using routine admission data to identify those patients at high risk of NV-HAP who could benefit from targeted, preventive interventions.

Methods: Patients aged ≥64 years who developed NV-HAP five days or more after admission to elderly-care wards, were identified by retrospective case note review together with matched controls.

Realist synthesis protocol for understanding which strategies are effective to prevent urinary tract infection in older people in care homes.

Aim: To identify and characterize strategies, which contribute to the prevention of urinary tract infection (UTI) in older people living in care homes.

Design: The realist synthesis has four iterative stages to (1) develop initial programme theory; (2) search for evidence; (3) test and refine theory supported by relevant evidence and (4) formulate recommendations. Data from research articles and other sources will be used to explore the connection between interventions and the context in which they are applied in order to understand the mechanisms, which influence the outcomes to prevent UTI.