Associations among fluid intake, cognitive function, and length of stay in psychogeriatric inpatients.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine differences, interactions, and associations among cognition, fluid intake, and demographic variables that may affect length of stay (LOS) for psychogeriatric inpatients aged 65 years or older.

Design And Methods: Descriptive, comparative, correlational secondary analysis of data from a primary study of 202 inpatients.

Findings: Older adults with and without cognitive impairment had different fluid intake over time (F = 3.

HLA typing by direct DNA sequencing.

Sequencing-based typing is a high resolution method for the identification of HLA polymorphisms. The majority of HLA Class I alleles can be discriminated by their exon 2 and 3 sequence, and for Class II alleles, exon 2 is generally sufficient. There are polymorphic positions in other exons which may require additional sequencing to exclude certain alleles with differences outside exon 2 and 3, depending on the clinical requirement and relevant accredition guidelines.

Hydration status of geriatric patients in a psychiatric hospital.

Dehydration negatively impacts geriatric hospitalization outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the hydration status of psychogeriatric inpatients and explore possible factors for dehydration. A descriptive, retrospective chart review of patients discharged from a psychogeriatric unit was completed.

Turning points and protective processes in the lives of people with chronic disabilities.

In this qualitative study, the authors examined the nature of resilience in people with chronic disabilities. Fifteen people with disabilities identified the factors that helped or hindered them at major turning points, and the triggers and resolutions to these turning points. Turning points were emotionally compelling experiences and realizations that involved meaning acquired through the routes of belonging, doing, or understanding the self or the world.