Hospitalization in Parkinson's disease: A survey of UK neurologists, geriatricians and Parkinson's disease nurse specialists. Issue 3 (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Skelly, Rob; Brown, Lisa; Fakis, Apostolos; Walker, Richard
• Is Part Of: Parkinsonism & related disorders. Volume 21:Issue 3(2015)
• Page Start: 277
• Page End: 281
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Parkinson's disease -- Hospitalization -- Specialist nurse -- Survey -- Geriatrician -- Neurologist; Parkinson's disease -- Periodicals; Movement disorders -- Periodicals; Movement Disorders -- Periodicals; Nerve Degeneration -- Periodicals; Nervous System Diseases -- Periodicals; Parkinson Disease -- Periodicals; Tremor -- Periodicals; Parkinson, Maladie de -- Périodiques; Parkinson's disease; 616.833
• DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2014.12.029
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8020

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Care for people with Parkinson's admitted to hospital is often suboptimal and services for these patients vary. We conducted a national survey to document current service provision in the UK and to explore clinicians' views on standards of care and potential service improvements. Method: We used the mailing lists of British Geriatric Society Movement Disorder Section (BGS-MDS), British and Irish Neurologists' Movement Disorders Group (BRING-MD), and Parkinson's Disease Nurse Specialists Association (PDNSA) and invited participation by email with a link to an online survey (www.surveymonkey.com ). The survey was posted in spring 2014 for six weeks. Results: There were 93 respondents from at least 65 different hospitals. The estimated response rate was 19%. Respondents were: 35 consultant geriatricians; 21 consultant neurologists, 29 Parkinson's Disease Nurse Specialists (PDNS), 8 others. 81% respondents report their hospital has a PDNS. 79% have a geriatrician with an interest in Parkinson's. 54% have a Parkinson's clinical guideline, 16% a cohort/specialist ward for Parkinson's and 11% an electronic system for flagging Parkinson's admissions. 21% rated overall standard of care as poor. 61% were not confident that medications were given on time. Having a PDNS see all Parkinson's in-patients, flagging of Parkinson's admissions and having a Parkinson's outreach service were ranked most likely of 16 potential service developments to improve care. Conclusion: Care for Parkinson's in-patients is not highly rated by UK Parkinson's clinicians. Interventions to improve care need to be studied but wide variations in current service provision pose a challenge for future study design. Highlights: There are wide variations in care provision for PD patients hospitalized in the UK. 21% of respondents reported overall standard of Parkinson's care was poor. 61% were not confident that Parkinson's medication was given on time. 16% have a cohort/specialist ward for Parkinson's patients. The intervention most likely to improve care was having a PD nurse specialist.