Article Text
Statistics from Altmetric.com
OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
QUESTION: Does systematic implementation of an advance directive programme in nursing homes affect patient and family satisfaction and reduce healthcare costs?
Design
Randomised {allocation concealed}*, blinded {residents}*, controlled trial with 18 months of follow up.
Setting
6 nursing homes in Ontario, Canada, each with >100 residents.
Patients
1292 nursing home residents.
Intervention
6 nursing homes were matched in pairs on key characteristics and randomised 1 home per pair to either an advance directive programme (3 intervention homes, 636 patients) or to continue with usual policies of advance directives (3 control homes, 656 patients). The intervention homes used an advance directive …
Footnotes
Source of funding: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
For correspondence: Dr D W Molloy, Geriatric Research Group, Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation, McMaster University, 711 Concession Street, Hamilton, ON L8V 1C3, Canada. Fax +1 905 575 5121. Abstract and commentary also appear in ACP Journal Club.
↵* Information provided by author.