Physiotherapy in acute geriatrics wards: What (de)motivates patients? A qualitative study based on self-determination theory.

Background: While the benefits of physiotherapy for hospitalized older patients (HOPs) are well established, these patients are often considered demotivated by healthcare team members (HTMs), which is perceived as a hindrance to their rehabilitation. The quantitative data currently available on the lack of involvement of HOPs are mainly measures of mobility. Motivation as such has, to our knowledge, never been measured.

Herpes zoster in Belgium: a new solution to an old problem.

Herpes zoster (HZ) is caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus. The life-time risk of developing HZ is ~ 30%. Management of HZ can be challenging due to limited efficacy of oral antivirals on pain control, and neuropathic pain that may require aggressive management.

Home telemonitoring in smart rurality: results from the HIS2R interreg feasibility pilot study.

Aims: The Health in Smart Rurality Interreg project aims to assess the feasibility of telemonitoring in rural areas across the Franco-Belgian border among patients affected by heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The objectives were to better understand strengths or barriers to implementing telemonitoring for early detection of potential adverse events, for improving quality of life, communication, and care coordination.

Methods: Using a prospective 6-month observational design, interconnected pads were provided to community-dwelling adults aged over 60 years.

Investigating the relationship between specific executive functions and functional decline among community-dwelling older adults: results from a prospective pilot study.

Background: As cognitive functions and, more specifically, executive functions (EF) seem to influence autonomy among the elderly, we investigated the role of each of the five EF sub-components (inhibition, spontaneous flexibility, reactive flexibility, planning, and updating in working memory) for the risk of functional decline.

Method: A total of 137 community-dwelling participants over 75 years of age were included in a prospective cohort study and assigned to three groups: individuals with neuro-degenerative cognitive disorders, those having cognitive disorders with non-degenerative aetiology, and a control group without any cognitive problems. We measured each EF sub-component and assessed functional decline by evaluating basic (b-ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (i-ADL) at baseline and 6 months later.

A comparison of clinical characteristics between old and oldest-old patients hospitalised for SARS-COV2.

Objectives: Oldest-old patients may have an unusual SARS-COV2 presentation that can jeopardise diagnosis and management. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes of oldest-old (≥85 years) and old patients (75-85 years) admitted with COVID-19 to Belgian hospitals during the first wave of the pandemic.

Methods: We conducted a multicentre, retrospective, observational study in ten Belgian hospitals.

Current practice in benzodiazepine receptor agonists deprescribing on acute geriatric wards: a cohort study.

Background: Benzodiazepine receptor agonist (BZRA) use is highly prevalent in hospitalised older people although these drugs are associated with numerous and serious adverse events. Deprescribing can reduce risks associated with chronic BZRA use. The aim of this study was to measure the prevalence of, and factors associated with, BZRA deprescribing in acute geriatric units.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Postprandial Hypotension among Elderly People Admitted in a Geriatric Evaluation and Management Unit : An Observational Study.

Objectives: To explore the prevalence and potential risk factors of postprandial hypotension (PPH) among elderly patients in an acute geriatric ward.

Design: A prospective observational study.

Setting: Geriatric Unit in a Belgian tertiary-care University Hospital.

Infections in the older population: what do we know?

The incidence of infections increases with age and results in a higher risk of morbidity and mortality. This rise is not mainly related to chronological age per se but has been linked mostly to individual factors such as immunosenescence; the presence of comorbidities; the occurrence of geriatric syndromes such as poor nutrition, polypharmacy, and cognitive disorders; and the presence of functional impairment concomitant with environmental, healthcare-related and microbiological factors such as the increasing risk of multidrug-resistant microorganisms. The geriatric concept of frailty introduces a new approach for considering the risk of infection; this concept highlights the importance of functional status and is a more comprehensive and multicomponent approach that may help to reverse the vulnerability to stress.

Prevalence of multidrug-resistant organisms in nursing homes in Belgium in 2015.

Objectives: Following two studies conducted in 2005 and 2011, a third prevalence survey of multidrug-resistant microorganisms (MDRO) was organised in Belgian nursing homes (NHs) using a similar methodology. The aim was to measure the prevalence of carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBLE) and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) in NH residents. Risk factors for MDRO carriage were also explored.

Early diagnosis of dehydration in hospitalized geriatric patients using clinical and laboratory criteria.

Context: Dehydration is a common yet underdiagnosed condition, which is associated with poor prognosis in older patients. The clinical and laboratory criteria for assessing dehydration are of variable or poor diagnostic value in this population and require further validation.

Objectives: To test different clinical and laboratory criteria for the early diagnosis of dehydration in hospitalized older patients as compared to the standard diagnosis based on a body weight gain ≥ 3% during the first week of admission.

Implementing a screening tool to improve prescribing in hospitalized older patients: a pilot study.

Background The use of STOPP-START criteria during hospitalization reduced inappropriate medications in randomized controlled trials. Objective To evaluate whether the implementation of a screening tool (short version of STOPP-START criteria) in routine geriatric practice reduces potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) and potential prescribing omissions (PPO) at discharge. Methods We conducted a retrospective interrupted time series analysis.

Executive dysfunctions as a good predictor of misuse of respiratory inhalers among hospitalized patients: a prospective survey.

The objectives of the study are to determine the prevalence and potential risk factors of misuse of respiratory inhalers among hospitalized patients admitted at the CHU UcL Namur, site Godinne. Using a cross-sectional design, patients using respiratory inhalers since more than 7 days were recruited from a database established by the hospital pharmacy. Inhaler technique was assessed using a standardised check-list and graded misuse as major or minor errors using previously published criteria.

Epidemiology of multidrug-resistant microorganisms among nursing home residents in Belgium.

Objectives: A national survey was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), extended-spectrum β-lactamases-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBLE) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) among nursing home residents in Belgium.

Methods: A random stratified, national prevalence survey was conducted in nursing home residents who were screened for carriage of ESBLE, MRSA and VRE by multisite enriched culture. Characteristics of nursing homes and residents were collected by a questionnaire survey and were analysed by multilevel logistic regression analysis.

Feasibility of implementing a practice guideline for fall prevention on geriatric wards: a multicentre study.

Background: About 40% of all adverse events in hospital are falls, but only about one in three Belgian hospitals have a fall prevention policy in place. The implementation of a national practice guideline is urgently needed.

Objective And Design: This multicentre study aimed to determine the feasibility of a previously developed guideline.

Health outcomes of older patients colonized by multi-drug resistant bacteria (MDRB): a one-year follow-up study.

The objective of this study was to examine whether asymptomatic colonization with MDRB would affect outcomes in older patients one year after hospitalization in a geriatric ward. Patient samples were analyzed to identify specific MDRBs, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobaceriaceae (ESBLE), and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). Among 337 patients screened at hospital admission, 62 (18%) carried one or more MDRB isolates (MRSA: n=23; ESBLE: n=39; VRE: n=2).

[The Get-up early test, elaboration process of a new screening tool for psychomotor disadaptation syndrome].

Major features of the psychomotor disadaptation syndrome (SDPM) include motor skill dysfunctions with alteration of postural capabilities, walking abilities and psychomotric automatisms. Mini motor test (TMM) is the gold standard used by skilled physiotherapists in order to assess the syndrome. The aim of this article is to present the elaboration process of a new SDPM screening tool, called the Get-up early test.

Multidrug-resistant bacteria colonization amongst patients newly admitted to a geriatric unit: a prospective cohort study.

Objectives: To determine prevalence, incidence and risk factors of colonization by extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriacae (ESBLE), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) in aged subjects admitted to an acute geriatric unit at a teaching hospital.

Methods: During 12 months, 337 patients were screened by nasal, oropharyngeal, groin, axillary and rectal swabs upon admission and at discharge.

Results: The prevalence of ESBLE, MRSA and VRE carriage upon admission was 11.

Clinical profiles of patients colonized or infected with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae isolates: a 20 month retrospective study at a Belgian University Hospital.

Background: Description of the clinical pictures of patients colonized or infected by ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae isolates and admitted to hospital are rather scarce in Europe. However, a better delineation of the clinical patterns associated with the carriage of ESBL-producing isolates may allow healthcare providers to identify more rapidly at risk patients. This matter is of particular concern because of the growing proportion of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae species isolates worldwide.

Evaluation of the Xpert MRSA assay for rapid detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from nares swabs of geriatric hospitalized patients and failure to detect a specific SCCmec type IV variant.

Rapid and reliable detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriers is crucial for control of MRSA nosocomial transmission. We aimed to evaluate the performance of the GeneXpert real-time PCR system using the Xpert MRSA assay on a collection of 40 representative Belgian MRSA strains and for MRSA screening of geriatric inpatients. Double nasal swabs were used: the first swab for the Xpert MRSA assay and the second for culture onto chromogenic selective medium and enrichment broth.

Predicting functional adverse outcomes in hospitalized older patients: a systematic review of screening tools.

Background: Functional decline frequently occurs following hospitalisation in older people and may be prevented or minimized by specific management. Such care processes needs appropriate early screening of older hospitalized patients.

Objective: To identify instruments able to detect on admission older hospitalized patients at risk of functional decline at and after discharge.

Risk factors predicting later functional decline in older hospitalized patients.

With the demographic and epidemiological changes, an increasing number of older subjects are admitted to hospital. These patients are at increased risk of adverse health outcomes, including functional decline, increased length of stay, institutionalization, geriatric syndromes (e.g.

Translating fall incidence data into fall-preventive measures in geriatric wards--a survey in Belgian hospitals.

Background: Fall incidents and their negative outcomes represent a considerable problem in hospitals, especially in geriatric wards, and require implementation of strategies to prevent these undesirable events. For this reason, the College of Geriatrics, a body funded by the Belgian Government to set up quality improvement initiatives in geriatric wards, selected 'Fall prevention in Belgian hospitals' as a quality project for the year 2006.

Objectives: Before developing and implementing a practice guideline specifically adapted to the clinical context in Belgian geriatric wards, this study was set up to gain insight into fall prevention measures currently implemented in geriatric wards of Belgian hospitals.