A study of patent thickets

Report analysing whether entry of UK enterprises into patenting in a technology area is affected by patent thickets in the technology area

Immigration and Internal Migration 'Flight' from US Metropolitan Areas: Toward a New Demographic Balkanisation

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/68704/2/10.1080_00420989550012861.pd

Loneliness in Old Age: Interventions to Curb Loneliness in Long-Term Care Facilities

Presently there is little analytical research examining practical interventions to address loneliness in long-term aged care. Thus, a review of the literature was conducted to identify and examine the usefulness of current interventions. A broad range of activities were found to benefit lonely residents. Animal-assisted therapy was the most widely implemented strategy and was both appropriate and effective for cognitively impaired and nonimpaired residents. Collaborative group approaches to improve cognitive aging were highly beneficial to residents as was indoor gardening, group use of game consoles and increased social contact with family or friends mediated via videoconferencing. Continued innovation and adaptation of practices to provide stimulation and increase social connectedness are needed, in conjunction with rigorous research methodologies, to determine effectiveness and appropriateness of those interventions to reduce loneliness for residents in long-term care facilities

The impact of care practices and health demographics on the prevalence of skin tears and pressure injuries in aged care

To determine whether differences in care practices and demographics between two long-term aged care facilities affected the incidence of residents' skin wounds.A retrospective analysis of care plans and clinical outcomes was conducted for a six month period in 2016 at two aged care facilities, N=39 Home 1 and N=45 Home 2. Skin tears, pressure injuries and usual care practices and associated health demographics were recorded.Over the six month period, 84 residents were found to have a total of 206 aged care acquired skin wounds (skin tears, pressure injuries, haematomas, rashes, infections). The frequency of skin tears or total wounds did not differ between the homes. Several factors were identified that influenced the skin wounds. A reduction in skin tears was associated with the use of heel protectors and antiembolic stockings, whilst a diagnosis of vascular dementia was associated with increased prevalence of skin wounds. Pressure injuries were significantly higher at Home 2. Increased use of strategies to moderate risk activities, such as tray tables and bed rails, and impaired cognitive function were associated with higher pressure injury prevalence.A number of care factors and health demographics influenced the rate of skin wounds. A holistic approach to skin management is needed.Practices, such as repositioning and skin hygiene, are well known to reduce the incidence of pressure injuries and skin tears; however there are other care practices that take place in homes as part of usual care that also impact skin wounds that have been largely ignored. This paper highlights those care practices, as well as resident characteristics and comorbidities that may increase the risk of skin wounds, requiring further monitoring/mitigating strategies. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Accessing care summaries at point-of-care: implementation of mobile devices for personal carers in aged care

Continued development of mobile technology now allows access to information at the point-of-care. This study was conducted to evaluate the use of one such tool on a mobile device, from the carer perspective. Caregivers across 12 aged-care facilities were supplied mobile devices to access a Picture Care Plan (PCP), a specific tool designed around the role of the personal carer. An anonymous questionnaire was subsequently completed by 85 carers with questions relating to participants' experience. Perceived helpfulness of the PCP at the point-of-care was high (87%). A significant number of participants believed the use of the PCP increased resident safety and quality of care (76%). Practical components related to the carrying of the device, network speed and the requirement to maintain communication with senior members of staff to ascertain updates were also expressed by participants. Findings suggest that staff are receptive to adoption of mobile devices to access care directives at the point-of-care and that the technology is useful

Prescribing of psychotropic drugs and indicators for use in residential aged care and residents with dementia

ABSTRACTIntroduction:It is well established that there is a high prescribing rate of psychotropic agents in residential aged care (RAC). The appropriateness of these medications has become controversial, given the limited data on efficacy and growing evidence of associated adverse outcomes.To assess psychotropic prescribing in RAC including identification of potentially inappropriate prescriptions (PIPs) and common psychological and behavioral symptoms indicated for prescribing. These were viewed in context of dementia and different RAC facilities.Electronic care plans of 779 RAC residents across 12 facilities were examined to elucidate psychotropic prescribing rates, PIPs, and indications for use.One in two residents (48.1%) were prescribed a psychotropic drug. The primary reasons for prescribing were depression (61.5%), anxiety (26.7%), sleep problems (25.4%), agitation (13.7%), psychosis (11.0%), and other behaviors (7.2%). Residents with dementia (56.6%) were more likely to be prescribed a drug for agitation and psychosis, and had a significantly increased prescription rate for antidepressants (OR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.08-2.08, p = 0.01) and antipsychotics (OR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.23-2.88, p < 0.01). Conversely, residents with dementia were less likely to receive medication to combat sleeping difficulties, with significantly lower benzodiazepine prescribing (OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.44-0.91, p = 0.01). Over half of all psychotropic prescriptions (54.0%) were potentially inappropriate based on the Beers Criteria. There was high variability of prescribing rates between homes.There is a high prescribing rate of potentially inappropriate medications. Residents with dementia are more likely to receive medication for agitation and psychosis, and are less likely to receive medication to combat sleeping difficulties