Anticoagulant-related intracranial haemorrhage: time to anticoagulant reversal improving but still slower than thrombolysis for ischaemic stroke.

Aims: This study aims to determine whether door-to-needle times (DNT) for reversal of anticoagulant-associated intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) (1) have improved over time, (2) differ between warfarin and dabigatran and (3) are comparable to ischaemic stroke (IS) thrombolysis DNT, and (4) whether reversal is monitored.

Methods: Retrospective review of all warfarin- and dabigatran-associated ICH presenting to Christchurch Hospital over a 15-year period. DNT data from 2013-2018 were compared between warfarin-related ICH (WRICH), dabigatran-related ICH (DRICH) and IS thrombolysis.

Polypharmacy in Palliative Care: Two Deprescribing Tools Compared with a Clinical Review.

Lack of guidance is highlighted as a barrier to deprescribing in palliative care. Two deprescribing tools exist, but with inclusion and exclusion criteria that limit utility. The tools have not previously been compared directly or used in an unselected palliative population.

Implementing a 'Safe Recovery' fall prevention program: Refining intervention theory using realist methods.

Objectives: This research aimed to explain how the Safe Recovery Programme (SRP) may best work to reduce falls in older adults undergoing rehabilitation in four wards in an older person's health and rehabilitation service.

Methods: Qualitative realist methods were used, including surveys completed by patients and staff, and qualitative interviews or focus groups exploring views of patients, ward staff and SRP educators.

Results: Emphasising different types of information for patients with different pre-existing understandings may facilitate their responses to SRP messaging.

Telephone discharge support for frail, vulnerable older people discharged from hospital: Impact on readmission rates - Participant and general practitioner feedback.

Objective: To assess the use and acceptability to older participants and general practitioners (GPs) of telephone support postdischarge to reduce readmissions.

Methods: A prospective cohort study of older people after discharge from a specialist geriatric unit, and comparison with a previous cohort. Telephone follow-up calls were made fortnightly for three months.

Audit of anticholinergic medication changes in older hospitalised patients using the Anticholinergic Drug Scale.

Background/aim: In patients discharged from an Older Person's Health hospital, we assessed (i) the prevalence of anticholinergic medications (ACM) in this study population and (ii) changes in anticholinergic drug burden during admission using the Anticholinergic Drug Scale (ADS).

Methods: Cases were identified between September 2010 and January 2011 using discharge coding data. Clinical notes were reviewed to determine which regular oral medications were commenced, altered or ceased during admission with their respective ADS level.

Fall and fracture rates following a change from carpet to vinyl floor coverings in a geriatric rehabilitation hospital. A longitudinal, observational study.

Objective: To investigate whether changing from 5 mm thick carpet tiles to vinyl on a concrete subfloor would alter fall or fracture rates.

Design: Longitudinal, observational study.

Setting: Six wards (129 beds) of a geriatric rehabilitation hospital.