Older patients' motives of whether or not to perform self-management during a hospital stay and influencing factors.

Semi-structured in-depth interviews (n = 12) were held to explore older patients' motives of whether or not to perform self-management while hospitalized and to identify factors influencing self-management during hospitalization. These interviews were analyzed using the Quacol method. Self-management during hospitalization is operationalized as: collaboration with the nursing staff, having a proactive role, and having control over personal care.

Comparisons of Knowledge of Dutch Nursing Students and Hospital Nurses on Aging.

Background: Although there is a growing population of older adults admitted to hospitals, the literature demonstrates knowledge deficits of nurses regarding older patients. This study investigated knowledge levels of both nursing students and RNs about older hospitalized patients in relation to their educational level and work experience.

Method: First- and final-year vocational and bachelor nursing students, and associate degree and bachelor degree nurses working in the hospital setting with 0 to 5 years, 6 to 15 years, and more than 15 years of experience, have completed the Knowledge about Older Patients-Quiz (KOP-Q).

The Knowledge-about-Older-Patients - Quiz (KOP-Q) for nurses: Cross-cultural validation between the Netherlands and United States of America.

Background: The Knowledge about Older Patients-Quiz (KOP-Q) is designed as a unidimensional scale measuring knowledge of hospital nurses about older patients. Furthermore, the KOP-Q measures a second unidimensional construct, certainty of hospital nurses about their knowledge. The KOP-Q is developed and validated in the Netherlands.

Measurement of nurses' attitudes and knowledge regarding acute care older patients: Psychometrics of the OPACS-US combined with the KOP-Q.

In clinical practice, identifying positive and negative attitudes toward older patients is very important to improve quality of care provided to them. The Older People in Acute Care Survey - United States (OPACS-US) is an instrument measuring hospital nurses attitudes regarding older patients. However, psychometrics have never been assessed.

Content Validity and Psychometric Characteristics of the "Knowledge about Older Patients Quiz" for Nurses Using Item Response Theory.

Objectives: To assess the content validity and psychometric characteristics of the Knowledge about Older Patients Quiz (KOP-Q), which measures nurses' knowledge regarding older hospitalized adults and their certainty regarding this knowledge.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: Content validity: general hospitals.

Construct development, description and initial validation of the Knowledge about Older Patients Quiz (KOP-Q) for nurses.

Background: Literature shows that nurses have a negative attitude toward older patients. Increasing nurses' knowledge (part of attitudes) may affect hospital nurses' attitudes and improve the quality of care for older patients. A first step is understanding nurses' current knowledge.

Prevention of functional decline in older hospitalized patients: nurses should play a key role in safe and adequate care.

This paper presents a discussion of knowledge and awareness regarding prevention of functional decline in older hospitalized patients. Functional decline is experienced by 30-60% of the older hospitalized patients, resulting in decreased independence and other adverse health outcomes. One literature study and four cohort studies (total n = 1628) were conducted to develop and validate an instrument to identify older hospitalized patients at risk for functional decline.

Predicting functional decline in older patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Background: a growing number of older patients undergo cardiac surgery. Some of these patients are at increased risk of post-operative functional decline, potentially leading to reduced quality of life and autonomy, and other negative health outcomes. First step in prevention is to identify patients at risk of functional decline.

The prediction of functional decline in older hospitalised patients.

Background: thirty to sixty per cent of older patients experience functional decline after hospitalisation, associated with an increase in dependence, readmission, nursing home placement and mortality. First step in prevention is the identification of patients at risk.

Objective: to develop and validate a prediction model to assess the risk of functional decline in older hospitalised patients.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized older patients with distinct risk profiles for functional decline: a prospective cohort study.

Background: The aim of this research was to study the clinical characteristics and mortality and disability outcomes of patients who present distinct risk profiles for functional decline at admission.

Methods: Multicenter, prospective cohort study conducted between 2006 and 2009 in three hospitals in The Netherlands in consecutive patients of ≥65 years, acutely admitted and hospitalized for at least 48 hours. Nineteen geriatric conditions were assessed at hospital admission, and mortality and functional decline were assessed until twelve months after admission.

Geriatric conditions in acutely hospitalized older patients: prevalence and one-year survival and functional decline.

Background: To study the prevalence of eighteen geriatric conditions in older patients at admission, their reporting rate in discharge summaries and the impact of these conditions on mortality and functional decline one year after admission.

Method: A prospective multicenter cohort study conducted between 2006 and 2008 in two tertiary university teaching hospitals and one regional teaching hospital in the Netherlands. Patients of 65 years and older, acutely admitted and hospitalized for at least 48 hours, were invited to participate.

Identification of older hospitalised patients at risk for functional decline, a study to compare the predictive values of three screening instruments.

Aims And Objectives: To establish a screening instrument for identifying older hospitalised patients at risk for functional decline by comparing the predictive values of three screening instruments: identification of seniors at risk, care complexity prediction instrument and hospital admission risk profile.

Background: After being hospitalised, 30-60% of older patients experience a decline in functioning, resulting in a decreased quality of life and autonomy.

Design: A prospective cohort study.

A systematic review of predictors and screening instruments to identify older hospitalized patients at risk for functional decline.

Aims And Objectives: To determine a valid, reliable and clinical user-friendly instrument, based on predictors of functional decline, to identify older patients at risk for functional decline. The predictors of functional decline are initially considered and, subsequently, the characteristics and psychometric qualities of existing screening instruments are investigated.

Background: Functional decline is a common and serious problem in older hospitalized patients, resulting in a change in quality of life and lifestyle.