Adult failure to thrive in the older rehabilitation patient.
Increasing numbers of older adults require rehabilitation therapy upon discharge from a hospital. This pilot study tested a tool developed to assess failure to thrive syndrome (FTT) in patients admitted to a long-term rehabilitation unit (N = 34), examined the association among commonly recognized FTT factors (persistent, unexpected impairment in physical function, cognitive impairment, and poor nutrition and mood state), and investigated relationships between FTT factors and discharge disposition. Patients with a high level of physical function differed from those with a low level of function in terms of age, mood state, and discharge disposition. Patients discharged home differed from patients who were unable to return home in mood state, physical function score, and admission serum albumin. Suggestions for practice and further research are offered.
Higgins
Patricia A
PA
Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-4904, USA. patricia.higgins@case.edu
Daly
Barbara J
BJ
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005183:Failure to Thrive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016743:Mental Competency; D008603:Mental Health; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009735:Nursing Homes; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D019145:Rehabilitation Nursing / Q000379:methods