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.

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.

Five common pitfalls in mixed methods systematic reviews: lessons learned.

Objectives: Mixed methods systematic reviews (MMSRs) combine quantitative and qualitative evidence within a single review. Since the revision of the JBI methodology for MMSRs in 2020, there has been an increasing number of reviews published that claim to follow this approach. A preliminary examination of these indicated that authors frequently deviated from the methodology.

Methodological guidance for the conduct of mixed methods systematic reviews.

Objective: The objective of this paper is to outline the updated methodological approach for conducting a JBI mixed methods systematic review with a focus on data synthesis, specifically, methods related to how data are combined and the overall integration of the quantitative and qualitative evidence.

Introduction: Mixed methods systematic reviews provide a more complete basis for complex decision-making than that currently offered by single method reviews, thereby maximizing their usefulness to clinical and policy decision-makers. Although mixed methods systematic reviews are gaining traction, guidance regarding the methodology of combining quantitative and qualitative data is limited.

A comparison of the nationally important infection prevention and control documents in NHS England and NHS Scotland.

Background: The devolution of health to Scotland in 1999, led for the first time in the NHS, to different priorities and success indicators for infection prevention and control (IPC). This project sought to understand, compare and evaluate the national IPC priorities and available indicators of success.

Aim: To identify the national IPC priorities alongside national indicators of success.

Using a multimodal strategy to improve patient hand hygiene.

Objective: The role of health care worker hand hygiene in preventing health care associated infections (HCAI) is well-established. There is less emphasis on the hand hygiene (HH) of hospitalized patients; in the context of COVID-19 mechanisms to support it are particularly important. The purpose of this study was to establish if providing patient hand wipes, and a defined protocol for encouraging their use, was effective in improving the frequency of patient HH (PHH).

Impact of canine-assisted interventions on the health and well-being of older people residing in long-term care: a mixed methods systematic review protocol.

Objective: The objective of this review is to synthesize and integrate the best available evidence on the impact of canine-assisted interventions on the health and well-being of older people residing in long-term care.

Introduction: Canine-assisted interventions are commonly used as an adjunct therapy to enhance health and well-being, and are often implemented in long-term care facilities. The number of studies undertaken in this area has increased substantially over the previous five years; therefore, an update of two previous systematic reviews is warranted.

Methodological guidance for the conduct of mixed methods systematic reviews.

Objective: The objective of this paper is to outline the updated methodological approach for conducting a JBI mixed methods systematic review with a focus on data synthesis; specifically, methods related to how data are combined and the overall integration of the quantitative and qualitative evidence.

Introduction: Mixed methods systematic reviews provide a more complete basis for complex decision-making than that currently offered by single method reviews, thereby maximizing their usefulness to clinical and policy decision-makers. Although mixed methods systematic reviews are gaining traction, guidance regarding the methodology of combining quantitative and qualitative data is limited.

Barriers and enablers to implementation of pressure injury prevention in hospitalized adults: a mixed methods systematic review protocol.

Objective: The objective of the proposed systematic review is to determine the barriers and enablers (or facilitators) to the implementation of pressure injury prevention among adults receiving care in the hospital setting.

Introduction: Hospital-acquired pressure injuries are preventable; however, they remain an ongoing safety and quality health care concern in many countries. There are various evidence-based preventative interventions for pressure injuries, but their implementation in clinical practice is limited.

A prevalence survey of patients with indwelling urinary catheters on district nursing caseloads in the United Kingdom: The Community Urinary Catheter Management (CCaMa) Study.

Background: Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is common in both hospitals and the community.

Aim: To investigate the prevalence of indwelling urinary catheters on district nursing caseloads in the UK.

Methods: Participants were recruited through the Infection Prevention Society (IPS).

The evidence for infection prevention and control: problems of design and implementation.

The article discusses the methodological and socioadaptive issues that impact on the development and implementation of evidence-based guidelines for the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections.

Drinking vessel preferences in older nursing home residents: optimal design and potential for increasing fluid intake.

Background:: residents in nursing and residential care homes are at risk of dehydration due to both resident and institutional factors. Previous studies have focused on improving fluid intakes by concentrating on types of fluids offered and assisting residents to drink.

Aim:: to determine resident opinion of the optimal features of drinking vessels and evaluate the impact of improving vessel design on fluid consumption.

Improving hydration of care home residents by increasing choice and opportunity to drink: A quality improvement study.

Background & Aims: Dehydration is recognised as an important problem among care home residents and can be associated with severe consequences. Insufficient provision of fluids to meet resident preferences and lack of assistance to drink have been identified as key factors driving under-hydration of care home residents. Using targeted interventions, this study aimed to optimise hydration care for frail older people in a care home setting.

I-Hydrate training intervention for staff working in a care home setting: An observational study.

Background: Dehydration is a complex and well-recognised problem for older people residing in care homes. Within the social care sector support staff provide the majority of direct care for residents, and yet receive minimal training.

Objectives: To design, deliver and evaluate a hydration specific training session for care home staff to develop their knowledge and skills in supporting the hydration of care home residents.