This report shares findings of a mixed methods case study, to explore best practice in reducing unplanned admissions in the elderly population.
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This is a summary of a Nuffield Trust report, which describes a novel approach for the evaluation of clinical and cost effectiveness of new NHS care models.
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We know that people with learning disabilities have poorer health than those without learning disabilities and may also receive poorer quality healthcare. Emergency or unplanned readmissions may be one indicator of the quality of care.
Here, Pauline Heslop considers a study which looked at such readmissions for people with learning disabilities and those without to see how they compared and how far such readmissions may have been preventable.
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Learning disability in-patient services have come under some scrutiny in recent times.
Here, Tom Crossland looks at an evaluation of the introduction of a care pathway approach in an inpatient service
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Farhana Mann summarises an observational study of mood instability in people with mental illness, which explores its relationship with days spent in hospital, frequency of admissions, the likelihood of being sectioned and the chance of being prescribed antipsychotics and mood stabilisers.
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Transforming Care, the government’s response to WInterbourne view, set some clear targets for the development of community services and the reduction on specialist inpatient bed numbers.
Here Alix Dixon looks at a paper, which used some illustrative case examples to explore some of the policy and practice issues around these targets.
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People with learning disabilities who have complex and challenging needs may find themselves placed in specialist services, sometimes distant from family and local support networks, often at high cost to the commissioners.
Here Ruth Northway looks at the findings of a survey of commissioning teams in south east England reporting on the nature and costs of such placements.
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Clarissa Giebel analyses an Australian qualitative study into family carer feelings and responses, when their loved one with dementia is admitted to hospital.
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17 RCTs were included in this review of oral care to reduce ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP). Evidence suggests it can reduce prevalence but not ICU mortality, length of ICU stay or duration of mechanical ventilation.
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Psychotropic medications are prescribed widely to many people with learning disabilities, but there remain many concerns about over, or improper use of such medications.
Here, Kate van Dooren looks at a study which collected data from 100 participants over a period of time to look at psychotropic medication and the relationship between dose, demographic factors and aggression scores.
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