Characteristics, Barriers, and Facilitators of Virtual Decision-Making Capacity Assessments During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Online Survey.

Background: With a growing older adult population, the number of persons with dementia is expected to rise. Consequently, the number of persons needing decision-making capacity assessments (DMCA) will increase. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted how we deliver patient care including DMCAs with a much more rapid shift to virtual assessments.

Characteristics of Patients Receiving Complex Case Management in an Acute Care Hospital.

Background: Improving transitions in care is a major focus of health care planning. In the research team's prior intervention study, the length of stay (LOS) was reduced when patients at high risk for readmission were identified early in their acute care stay and received complex management.

Objective: This study will describe the characteristics of patients receiving complex case management in an urban acute care hospital.

Family Physician Prescribing Practices and Perspectives on Shared Decision-Making Regarding the Use of Oral Anticoagulants for Stroke Prevention in Patients 75 Years or Older With Atrial Fibrillation.

Introduction: Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is common in older adults, yet guideline-recommended oral anti-coagulants (OACs) for stroke prevention are underused in this population. With a growing population of older adults at risk of AF seeking primary care, the objective of the study was to determine the management practices and perspectives of family physicians on the initiation of OACs for stroke prevention in AF patients 75 years or older, including their engagement of patients in shared decision-making.

Methods: This was an online survey of family physicians affiliated with a Primary Care Network in Alberta, Canada.

The Care-of-the-Elderly Health Guide.

Introduction: The Evidence-Based Care of the Elderly Health Guide is a clinical guide with cross-references for care recommendations. This guide is an innovative adaptation of the Rourke Baby Record to support elderly care. In 2003, the guide was published with an endorsement from the Health Care-of-the-Elderly Committee of the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in the Elderly.

It is estimated that approximately half of adults, older than 65 years of age, have been prescribed potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). This study's objective was to determine the prevalence of PIM use among older patients. Two retrospective chart reviews were performed on 200 and 164 older patients who underwent comprehensive geriatric assessments (CGAs) at outpatient geriatrics clinics at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital (Glenrose) in 2012-13 and at the Misericordia Community Hospital (Misericordia) in 2016-17, respectively.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Physician-to-Physician Telephone Consultation Programs: Environmental Scan.

Background: Telephone consultations between physicians provide quick access to medical advice, allowing patients to be cared for by calling physicians in their local settings.

Objective: As part of a quality assurance study of a physician-to-physician consultation program in Alberta, Canada, this environmental scan aims to identify the characteristics and outcomes of physician-to-physician telephone consultation programs across several countries.

Methods: We searched 7 databases to identify English publications in 2007-2017 describing physician-to-physician consultations using telephones as the main technology.

Telephone consultations with otolaryngology - head and neck surgery reduced emergency visits and specialty consultations in northern Alberta.

Background: RAAPID (Referral, Access, Advice, Placement, Information, and Destination) is a 24-h call center in Alberta, Canada, facilitating urgent telephone consultations between physicians and specialists. We evaluated the extent to which RAAPID calls to Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) reduced visits to the emergency department and specialty clinics.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study evaluating all telephone consultations to OHNS from physicians in northern Alberta between 2013 and 2014 (T1) (where consultations by residents occurred) and 2015 to 2017 (T2) (where consultations were done by consultants during office hours and residents during after hours).

Improving transitions from acute care to home among complex older adults using the LACE Index and care coordination.

Background: Improving transitions in care is a major focus of healthcare planning. The objective of this study was to determine the improvement in transitions from an intervention identifying complex older adult patients in acute care and supporting their discharge into the community.

Methods: This was a quality assurance study evaluating an intervention on high-risk patients admitted in an acute care hospital.

Retroperitoneal haematoma associated with enoxaparin use in an elderly woman with chronic kidney disease.

An 81-year-old woman with chronic kidney disease was on enoxaparin (1 mg/kg subcutaneously two times a day) for 4 months to manage pulmonary embolism. While admitted for diagnostic evaluation of frequent falls, transient ischaemic attacks and pain management, she developed vomiting, diarrhoea, melena and hypotension. Her estimated glomerular filtration rate decreased from an admission value of 34 mL/min/1.