Dehydration in the nursing home: Recognition and interventions taken by Dutch nursing staff

Abstract

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Perceived quality of collaboration in dehydration care among Dutch nursing home professionals: A cross‐sectional study

“…Apparently, many RNs and ANPs/NHPs assess a lack of information transfer in the multidisciplinary team as a barrier for good dehydration care, questioning the quality and quantity of information transfer between all professionals involved. A reason for this could be that not only the professional groups included in this study have a central role in providing information on changes in the residents’ status, but that also allied health professionals and the informal caregiver play a large role (Paulis et al, 2021). Other research also claims that inefficient communication between care professionals, older adults and informal caregivers could be an important barrier in collaboration (Verwijs et al, 2020).…”

“…Another conclusion of this study was that a clear description of roles about dehydration care in, and between, formal and informal caregivers was lacking and that it is unknown to what extent collaboration in dehydration care currently exists (Paulis et al, 2021).…”

“…This was probably caused by overlapping activities across professionals in the nursing home, and the aforementioned supportive role informal caregivers have. Another conclusion of this study was that a clear description of roles about dehydration care in, and between, formal and informal caregivers was lacking and that it is unknown to what extent collaboration in dehydration care currently exists (Paulis et al, 2021). Collaboration can be defined as ‘a complex phenomenon that brings together two or more individuals, who work to achieve shared aims and objectives’ (Fewster Thuente & Velsor Friedrich, 2008).…”

“…Because these different activities are often performed by more than one professional, dehydration care is, therefore, a shared responsibility, and makes adequate collaboration a requisite (Paulis et al, 2021). This study examines how nursing and medical staff rate the quality of collaboration in dehydration care in their nursing home.…”

“…Also communicating findings to colleagues or taking the decision to do a (blood) test to assess if dehydration is present, are important activities in dehydration care. Because these different activities are often performed by more than one professional, dehydration care is, therefore, a shared responsibility, and makes adequate collaboration a requisite (Paulis et al, 2021). This study examines how nursing and medical staff rate the quality of collaboration in dehydration care in their nursing home.…”