Pilot testing an educational intervention to improve communication with patients with dementia.

Approximately one quarter of all hospitalized patients over age 75 years have a secondary diagnosis of dementia. A unique hospital-wide program to encourage appropriate communication techniques with patients who have dementia was provided to all departments of a hospital. Evaluation indicated improvement in some communication techniques.

The special needs of the hospitalized patient with dementia.

As the population ages, the number of patients with dementia will increase rapidly. Nurses caring for patients with dementia will need knowledge of interventions for communicating; managing agitation, nutrition, hygiene, and pain; providing spiritual care; and determining decision-making capacity.

Development of an evidence-based protocol for reduction of indwelling urinary catheter usage.

Studies indicate 40% of indwelling urinary catheters are unnecessary in hospitalized patients (Gardam, Amihod, Orenstein, Consolacion, & Miller, 1998; Gokula, Hickner, & Smith, 2004). The results of a protocol developed to limit catheter use are described.

Older adult care in the emergency department: identifying strategies that foster best practice.

The goals of this study were to obtain a profile of older adults who are treated in the emergen department, examine their length of stay and contributing factors, and determine nurses' knowledge and perception of care provided to older adults. The records of 206 older adults were reviewed. Emergency department nurses completed the Geriatric Institutional Assessment Profile, which measures knowledge of older adult care.