NO ONE TO ANSWER THE CALL: INFORMED CONSENT WITH HEALTH CARE PROXIES IN THE NURSING HOME POPULATION. (16th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Seo, J; Njenga, M; Budree, S; Liu, C
• Is Part Of: Innovation in aging. Volume 2(2018)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 992
• Page End: 993
• Publication Date: 2018-11-16
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy031.3669
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-5300

Abstract

Abstract: The nursing home population has a high prevalence of dementia and many nursing home residents have decisions made by their health care proxies (HCP). Our study recruited nursing home residents aged ≥65 years old for a randomized controlled clinical trial of fecal microbiota transplantation. The study team identified eligible residents through medical chart review. We then approached eligible residents and HCPs for consent to enroll in the study. Of the 393 residents deemed eligible, 277 had decisions made by their HCPs (70%). Of those, 100 HCPs could not be reached after at least two attempts of contact (36%); the study team lacked the correct contact information for 10 HCPs (4%). In addition, 11 residents, who appeared to be cognitively intact during chart review, were deemed to be otherwise when approached by the study team. We lost 26 residents after their HCP initially expressed interest, but did not follow up subsequently (9%). Of the 78 residents enrolled in the study, 46 had HCPs (59%). Majority of the enrolled residents have HCPs; exclusion of those with unreachable HCPs likely biased our study population. Future studies should explore methods on how to contact HCPs to encourage participation of nursing home residents in research. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT03061097