Empirical Research

Predictors of Nonpharmacological and Pharmacological Treatments Stopped and Started Among Nursing Home Residents With Dementia

Michelle R. Simpson, PhD, RN; Christine R. Kovach, PhD, RN, FAAN; Frank Stetzer, PhD

  • Research in Gerontological Nursing
  • April 2012 - Volume 5 · Issue 2: 130-137
  • DOI: 10.3928/19404921-20110831-01
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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the nonpharmacological and pharmacological treatments stopped and started over 6 weeks among a sample of nursing home residents with moderate to severe dementia and to identify nurse and resident factors associated with starting new and stopping ineffective/unnecessary nonpharmacological and pharmacological treatments. One hundred thirty-four nursing home residents with dementia and 39 nurses from 12 nursing homes in the Midwest participated in this study. Resident and nursing process data were collected on daily tracking forms completed by the primary nurse over a 6-week period. Both assessment-driven intervention and evaluation-driven follow through significantly predicted treatments stopped and new treatments started. The findings demonstrate that nurses serve an essential role in maintaining resident physiological and psychological homeostasis by vigilantly responding to residents’ physical problems and behaviors with assessment-driven intervention and evaluation-driven follow through.

AUTHORS

Dr. Simpson is Assistant Professor, Dr. Kovach is Professor, and Dr. Stetzer is Statistician, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The authors disclose that they have no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity. The authors disclose the following support for the research and authorship of this article: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, and National Institute of Nursing Research grant 5R01NR07765-05. Dr. Kovach was not involved in the peer review or decision-making process for this manuscript.

Address correspondence to Michelle R. Simpson, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Cunningham Hall, 1921 Hartford Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53201-0413; e-mail: rsimpson@uwm.edu.

 

Received: January 4, 2011
Accepted: May 13, 2011
Posted: September 16, 2011

doi: 10.3928/19404921-20110831-01

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