Nursing assistants: “He seems to be ill” – a reason for nurses to take action: validation of the Early Detection Scale of Infection (EDIS)

Table 1 Background data in 68 elderly nursing-home residents, assessed for signs and symptoms of infection with the Early Detection of Infection Scale (EDIS)

Variable	n = 68
Age in years	84.5 ± 7.5
Male/female	23/45
BMI^a	27 ± 4
ADL status^b	8 ± 2
Ear temperature^c	36,3 ± 0,4 °C
Rectal temperature	36,9 ± 0,3 °C
	n (%)
≥ 3 diagnosis	18 (26)
Dementia	49 (72)
Cognitive decline (MMSE^d 0–19)	20 (29)
Cardio-vascular disease	41 (60)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease	5 (7)
Stroke	25 (37)
Diabetes	16 (24)
Cancer	13 (19)
Autoimmune disease^e	8 (12)
Thyroid disease	21 (10)
Cortisone ≥ 5 mg per dag	4 (6)
Sedatives/tranquillizers	28 (41)
Sleeping pills	20 (29)
Anti-depressants	39 (57)
Paracetamol ≥ 3 g daily	22 (32)
Malnutrition	6 (9)
Pain (DOLOPLUS ≥ 5)	44 (65)
Vaccination influenza	55 (81)
Vaccination pneumocockiae	31 (46)

The data are expressed as mean ± SD (age, BMI and ADL) or number of individuals
^aBody mass index
^bActivities of daily living
^cMean values and standard deviation was equal for ear temperature, irrespective if the left or right ear was used for measurement
^dMini mental state examination
^ee.g. rheumatoid arthritis, muscular rheumatism

ISSN: 1471-2318