title: Identifying at risk nursing home residents using a polydipsia screening tool.
abstract: Persons diagnosed with schizophrenia are considered at risk for polydipsia, a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by excessive consumption of fluids. This study examined the demographic and health-related characteristics of nursing home residents with psychiatric diagnoses (N = 70) who reside in a 92-bed facility. The prevalence of polydipsia and behavioral characteristics and symptoms as measured by a 17-item polydipsia screening tool also were described. Patients who screened positive for polydipsia (36%) exhibited behaviors that included incontinence, smoking, frequent voiding, and preference for fluid over food. A polydipsia screening program could minimize morbidity and mortality associated with this fairly prevalent condition.
authors.affiliation: Nursing Solutions Consultants, LLC, Mequon, WI 53092, USA. Sheila@nscllc.com
authors.forename: Sheila A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: Marlene Wellman
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.forename: Marion E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Broome
authors.forename: Jeanne Beauchamp
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Hewitt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004327:Drinking Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D014867:Water