Prospective observational study of dementia and delirium in the acute hospital setting

Melatonin does not reduce delirium severity in hospitalized older adults: Results of a randomized placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Delirium is common in older inpatients, causing distress, cognitive decline, and death. Current therapies are unsatisfactory, limited by lack of efficacy and adverse effects. There is an urgent need for effective delirium treatment. Sleep wake cycle is disturbed in delirium; endogenous Melatonin is perturbed, and exogenous Melatonin is a safe and effective medication for sleep disorders. This study aims to determine the effect of oral Melatonin 5 mg immediate release (IR) nightly for five nights on the severity of delirium in older (≥65 years) medical inpatients.

METHODS

This was a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial in general internal medicine units of a tertiary teaching hospital. Older inpatients with Confusion Assessment Method positive, hyperactive or mixed delirium within 48 h of admission or onset of in-hospital delirium were included. The primary outcome was change in delirium severity measured with the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS). A previous pilot trial showed 120 participants randomized 1:1 to Melatonin or Placebo would provide 90% power to demonstrate a 3-point reduction in the MDAS.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty participants were randomized, 61 to Melatonin 5 mg and 59 to Placebo. The medication was well tolerated. The mean MDAS improvement was 4.9 (SD 7.6) in the Melatonin group and 5.4 (SD 7.2) in the Placebo group, p-value 0.42, a non-significant difference. A post-hoc analysis showed length of stay (LOS) was shorter in the intervention group (median 9 days [Interquartile Range (IQR) 4, 12] vs. Placebo group 10 [IQR 6, 16] p-value = 0.033, Wilcoxon Rank Sum test).

CONCLUSIONS

This trial does not support the hypothesis that Melatonin reduces the severity of delirium. This may be due to no effect of Melatonin, a smaller effect than anticipated, an effect not captured on a multidimensional delirium assessment scale, or a type II statistical error. Melatonin may improve LOS; this hypothesis should be studied.

The impact of a hospital-based special care unit on behavioural and psychological symptoms in older people living with dementia

BACKGROUND

Hospital patients with behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are vulnerable to a range of adverse outcomes. Hospital-based Special Care Units (SCUs) are secure dementia-enabling environments providing specialised gerontological care. Due to a scarcity of research, their value remains unconfirmed.

OBJECTIVE

To compare hospital based SCU management of BPSD with standard care.

DESIGN

Single-case multiple baseline design.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

One-hundred admissions to an 8-bed SCU over 2 years in a large Australian public hospital.

METHODS

Repeated measures of BPSD severity were undertaken prospectively by specialist dementia nurses for patients admitted to a general ward (standard care) and transferred to the SCU. Demographic and other clinical data, including diagnoses, medication use, and care-related outcomes were obtained from medical records retrospectively. Analysis used multilevel models to regress BPSD scores onto care-setting outcomes, adjusting for time and other factors.

RESULTS

When receiving standard care, patients' BPSD severity was 6.8 (95% CI 6.04-7.64) points higher for aggression, 15.6 (95% CI 13.90-17.42) points higher for the neuropsychiatric inventory, and 5.8 (95% CI 5.14-6.50) points higher for non-aggressive agitation compared to SCU. Patients receiving standard care also experienced increased odds for patient-to-nurse violence (OR 2.61, 95% CI 1.67-4.09), security callouts (OR 5.39 95% CI 3.40-8.52), physical restraint (OR 17.20, 95% CI 7.94-37.25) and antipsychotic administration (OR 3.41, 95% CI 1.60-7.24).

CONCLUSION

Clinically significant reductions in BPSD and psychotropic administration were associated with SCU care relative to standard ward care. These results suggest more robust investigation of hospital SCUs, and dementia-enabling design are warranted.

Dementia prevalence among hospitalized older patients: a multicenter study in Iran

Dementia poses a significant societal and health challenge in the 21st century, with many hospitalized patients experiencing dementia without a documented diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prevalence of dementia and its associated risk factors among older patients admitted to hospitals.

METHODS

The study included older patients (≥ 60 years) admitted to medical departments of a general hospital in three major Iranian cities. Researchers utilized the Activities of Daily Living-Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (ADL-IADL) scale, the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), the Mini-Cog test, the 4 A's test (4AT), and the Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS). Among the 420 recruited older inpatients, 228 (54.3%) were female.

RESULTS

The mean age of participants was 71.39 years (standard deviation ±7.95), with 30.7% diagnosed with major neurocognitive disorder (dementia). The likelihood of dementia exhibited statistically significant correlations with gender, age, number of children, and occupation.

CONCLUSIONS

Screening older individuals for cognitive impairment upon hospital admission holds the potential to prevent adverse outcomes and enhance the quality of treatment for patients concurrently dealing with dementia.

Documentation of cognitive impairment screening amongst older hospitalised Australians: a prospective clinical record audit

BACKGROUND

Failure to detect cognitive impairment (CI) in hospitalised older inpatients has serious medical and legal implications, including for the implementation of care planning. This mixed methods study aimed to determine amongst hospital in-patients aged ≥ 65 years: (1) Rates of documentation of screening for CI, including the factors associated with completion of screening; (2) Rates of undocumented CI amongst patients who had not received screening during their admission; (3) Healthcare provider practices and barriers related to CI screening.

METHODS

A mixed methods study incorporating a clinical audit and interviews with healthcare providers was conducted at one Australian public hospital. Patients were eligible for inclusion if they were aged 65 years and older and were admitted to a participating ward for a minimum of 48 h. Patient characteristics, whether CI screening had been documented, were extracted using a template. Patients who had not been screened for CI completed the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) to determine cognitive status. Interviews were conducted with healthcare providers to understand practices and barriers to screening for CI.

RESULTS

Of the 165 patients included, 34.5% (n = 57) had screening for CI documented for their current admission. Patients aged > 85 years and those with two or more admissions had greater odds of having CI screening documented. Among patients without CI screening documented, 72% (n = 78) were identified as cognitively impaired. While healthcare providers agreed CI screening was beneficial, they identified lack of time and poor knowledge as barriers to undertaking screening.

CONCLUSIONS

CI is frequently unrecognised in the hospital setting which is a missed opportunity for the provision of appropriate care. Future research should identify feasible and effective strategies to increase implementation of CI screening in hospitals.

Supportive Care for Dementia: A Replicable Model to Reduce Neurobehavioral Symptoms, Caregiver Stress, and Hospitalizations, and Increase Hospice Referrals

Objective: This report describes a hospice-supported no-fee program to support patients living with all levels of dementia and their caregivers. Background: Our medical system struggles to serve the rapidly increasing numbers of patients with dementia. Hospice of the Valley developed a low-cost six-month program to reduce caregiver stress and reduce neurobehavioral disturbances of patients living with dementia, reduce costs for insurers, and increase hospice referrals. Methods: Data were analyzed from 532 patients living with caregivers admitted over 22 months. Caregiver burden, behaviors, hospitalization, and hospice admissions were tracked. Results: Severity of neurobehavioral disturbances and burden to caregivers decreased significantly. Hospitalizations decreased during and after the program, resulting in cost savings for insurance programs. Twenty-five percent of participants were admitted to hospice. Discussion: The Supportive Care for Dementia program was welcomed by community physicians, leading to improved supportive care and increased hospice referrals. The program is replicable and has been adopted by one health plan and is being evaluated by others.

Practice of end-of-life care for patients with advanced dementia by hospital physicians and nurses: Comparison between medical and surgical wards

BACKGROUND

Patients with advanced dementia are commonly hospitalized in acute care wards, yet there is limited data regarding the end-of-life (EOL) care delivered to this population. The aim of the study was to examine EOL care delivered to patients with advanced dementia hospitalized on acute wards as reported by physicians and nurses.

METHODS

Participants were physicians and nurses from medical and surgical wards of two tertiary hospitals in Israel. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire evaluating EOL care experiences, knowledge, performance, assessment, communication, and perceived futile care regarding patients with dementia.

RESULTS

The questionnaire was completed by 315 providers. There were 190 medical ward respondents and 125 from general surgical wards. Of them, 48.6% recognized dementia as a terminal disease, while 26.0% of the participants reported that they knew the end-of-life preferences for less than 10% of their patients. Among the providers, 53.3% reported that end-of-life ward discussions took place only when there was a life-threatening situation and 11.1%-16.5% never engaged in end-of-life communication regarding EOL patient's preferences, appointing an attorney for the patient, disease trajectory or the essence of palliative care, with patients or their representatives. Only 17.1% reported "never" performing care they considered to be futile for patients with advanced dementia. Controlling for gender, age, role, position (senior/junior), and exposure to patients with advanced dementia, surgical ward respondents reported performing less EOL care than medical ward respondents in almost all aspects of palliative care.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite growing attention, a significant portion of staff in acute care wards do not report applying EOL care to patients with advanced dementia in clinical practice, especially surgical ward staff.

Key Data Elements for Longitudinal Tracking of Physical Function: A Modified Delphi Consensus Study

OBJECTIVE

Physical function is associated with important outcomes, yet there is often a lack of continuity in routine assessment. The purpose of this study was to determine data elements and instruments for longitudinal measurement of physical function in routine care among patients transitioning from acute care hospital setting to home with home health care.

METHODS

A 4-round modified Delphi process was conducted with 13 participants with expertise in physical therapy, health care administration, health services research, physiatry/medicine, and health informatics. Three anonymous rounds identified important and feasible data elements. A fourth in-person round finalized the recommended list of individual data elements. Next, 2 focus groups independently provided additional perspectives from other stakeholders.

RESULTS

Response rates were 100% for online rounds 1, 3, and 4 and 92% for round 2. In round 1, 9 domains were identified: physical function, participation, adverse events, behavioral/emotional health, social support, cognition, complexity of illness/disease burden, health care utilization, and demographics. Following the fourth round, 27 individual data elements were recommended. Of these, 20 (74%) are "administrative" and available from most hospital electronic medical records. Additional focus groups confirmed these selections and provided input on standardizing collection methods. A website has been developed to share these results and invite other health care systems to participate in future data sharing of these identified data elements.

CONCLUSION

A modified Delphi consensus process was used to identify critical data elements to track changes in patient physical function in routine care as they transition from acute hospital to home with home health.

IMPACT

Expert consensus on comprehensive and feasible measurement of physical function in routine care provides health care professionals and institutions with guidance in establishing discrete medical records data that can improve patient care, discharge decisions, and future research.

Cognitive impairment in older hospital inpatients: prevalence, care needs and carer perceptions

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of cognitive impairment in hospital inpatients, the associated need for assistance with activities of daily living (ADL) and carer perceptions of hospital care.MethodsA prospective cross-sectional observational study was conducted in a large metropolitan teaching hospital in Brisbane, Australia. Participants were inpatients aged ≥65 years and their carers. Cognitive impairment was measured by clinician auditors using the validated 4 'A's test (4AT), with a score >0 indicating cognitive impairment (1-3, probable dementia; >3, probable delirium). The need for supervision and/or assistance with ADL was recorded from daily nursing documentation. Carers were invited to complete a brief questionnaire.ResultsIn all, 92 of 216 older inpatients (43%) had cognitive impairment, including 52 (24%) with probable delirium. The need for supervision and/or assistance with ADL increased significantly with 4AT score. Fifty-two carers of patients with cognitive impairment reported feeling welcome and that care was safe. They identified opportunities for better information, greater support and more inclusion of carers.ConclusionsCognitive impairment is common in older inpatients and is associated with increased care needs. Workforce planning and health professional training need to acknowledge the needs of patients with cognitive impairment. There are opportunities for greater support and more involvement of carers.What is known about the topic?Cognitive impairment due to delirium and dementia increases with age, and is common in older medical and surgical inpatients. However, cognitive impairment remains under-recognised by healthcare staff. Australian guidelines now recommend routine screening using valid tools, and including carers, when appropriate, when assessing, caring for and communicating with people with cognitive impairment.What does this paper add?This cross-sectional study using the validated 4AT showed 43% of hospital inpatients aged ≥65 years had cognitive impairment. Participants with cognitive impairment had higher care needs and much longer hospitalisations. Carers of people with cognitive impairment reported unmet information needs in hospital and had limited involvement in assessment and care.What are the implications for practitioners?Cognitive impairment is common in older inpatients. Hospitals and healthcare professionals must be prepared and equipped to recognise cognitive impairment, and address the accompanying patient and carer needs.

Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Impact of Delirium on Hospitalized Older Adults With Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES

High prevalence of delirium superimposed on dementia (DSD) was previously reported, with associated negative impact on hospitalized older adults. However, data were conflicting, and no meta-analysis has been conducted. Although dementia is the leading risk factor for delirium, risk factors for DSD have not been adequately studied. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to elucidate the prevalence, risk factors, and impact of DSD in hospitalized older adults. Comparisons were made between older adults with DSD and persons with dementia alone (PWDs).

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Observational studies reporting prevalence, risk factors, or impact of DSD in hospitalized older adults.

METHODS

Database search was conducted till December 2020 in PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, and OpenGrey for relevant primary and secondary studies. A piloted data collection form was used for data extraction, and methodological quality was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklists. Meta-analyses, with risk ratio and mean differences as effect measures, were performed using random effects model with Review Manager software. Cochran's Q and I² statistics were used to assess heterogeneity, which was investigated using subgroup analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 81 studies were eligible. The pooled prevalence of DSD was 48.9%, with the highest prevalence found in the Americas and orthopedic wards. Risk factors, including nonmodifiable hospital-, illness-, and medication-related factors, were found to precipitate DSD. Patients with DSD had longer length of hospitalization, disclosed worse cognitive and functional outcomes, and a higher risk of institutionalization and mortality than patients with dementia.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

These findings suggested high prevalence and detrimental impact of DSD in hospitalized older adults, highlighting a need for early identification, prevention, and treatments. Further research on risk factors of DSD should be conducted as data were sparse and conflicting. Future high-quality studies regarding DSD are warranted to improve knowledge of this common but under-recognized phenomenon.

Understanding how to facilitate continence for people with dementia in acute hospital settings: a mixed methods systematic review and thematic synthesis

BACKGROUND

People living with dementia (PLWD) are at significant risk of developing urinary and/or faecal incontinence and are also at risk of functional incontinence or being labelled as being incontinent. Despite the growing population of PLWD and importance of continence care, little is known about the appropriate management, organisation, and interactional strategies for PLWD admitted to acute hospitals. This mixed methods systematic review and thematic synthesis sought to identify successful strategies across all care settings that could then be used to inform innovations in continence care for PLWD in the acute hospital setting.

METHODS

In phase 1, a scoping search of two electronic databases (MEDLINE and PsycINFO) and a consultation with stakeholders was undertaken. Findings were presented to the project steering group and two priority areas for phase 2 were identified which were communication and individualised care plans. In phase 2, eight databases and relevant UK government and other organisational websites were searched for English language citations from inception to August 2020. Critical appraisal was conducted using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT Version 11). Thematic synthesis was employed and the strength of synthesised findings for the intervention studies was assessed using the GRADE approach and the confidence in synthesised qualitative and survey findings was assessed using the CERQual approach.

RESULTS

In phase 1, 1348 citations were found and 75 included. In phase 2, 6247 citations were found, 14 research studies and 14 policy and guidance documents were included. The quality of studies varied. Material was synthesised into three overarching syntheses which were: communication this is dignified, person-centred and respectful; communication during outpatients apointments and delivering individualised continence care.

CONCLUSIONS

Recognising that PLWD are not always able to communicate their continence needs verbally is important. Incorporating interpersonal and communication skills into the context of continence care within training for those working with this patient group is crucial for continence to be maintained during an acute admission. Continence care in the acute setting should be tailored to the individual and be developed in partnership with staff and caregivers.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO: CRD42018119495 .

Factors influencing length of hospital stay in an acute psychogeriatric unit

BACKGROUND

Dementia patients represent a significant volume of hospital admissions and impose a high cost on the health system. There is a significantly higher length of hospital stay (LOHS) for elderly demented patients.

METHODS

This study was carried out in an acute psychogeriatric unit specialising in behavioural and psychological symptoms in dementia. Socio-demographic, cognitive and nutritional variables were taken into account. We first compared the patients returning home (group 1) after hospital discharge with those transferred to the rehabilitation psychogeriatric unit (group 2). We secondarily explored the correlation of LOHS with the variables described above for the two groups.

RESULTS

We retained 92 patients (of 375 admitted) for our study, mean age 83.9 ± 6.6, Mini-Mental State Examination 12.8 ± 9.6, initial weight 61.7 ± 13.2 kg and body mass index 24.8 ± 4.7. We noticed significant differences in cognitive status but not in nutritional variables or in socio-demographic characteristics between the two groups. Only weight in nutritional variables was significantly associated with LOHS in the acute psychogeriatric unit.

CONCLUSIONS

Our main finding underlined the key role of cognitive factors in patient discharge home. And only initial weigh seems have an influence in LOHS instead of cognitive status or socio-demographic characteristics.

Understanding health-care outcomes of older people with cognitive impairment and/or dementia admitted to hospital: a mixed-methods study

Background

Cognitive impairment is common in older people admitted to hospital, but previous research has focused on single conditions.

Objective

This project sits in phase 0/1 of the Medical Research Council Framework for the Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions. It aims to develop an understanding of current health-care outcomes. This will be used in the future development of a multidomain intervention for people with confusion (dementia and cognitive impairment) in general hospitals. The research was conducted from January 2015 to June 2018 and used data from people admitted between 2012 and 2013.

Design

For the review of outcomes, the systematic review identified peer-reviewed quantitative epidemiology measuring prevalence and associations with outcomes. Screening for duplication and relevance was followed by full-text review, quality assessment and a narrative review (141 papers). A survey sought opinion on the key outcomes for people with dementia and/or confusion and their carers in the acute hospital (n = 78). For the analysis of outcomes including cost, the prospective cohort study was in a medical admissions unit in an acute hospital in one Scottish health board covering 10% of the Scottish population. The participants (n = 6724) were older people (aged ≥ 65 years) with or without a cognitive spectrum disorder who were admitted as medical emergencies between January 2012 and December 2013 and who underwent a structured nurse assessment. ‘Cognitive spectrum disorder’ was defined as any combination of delirium, known dementia or an Abbreviated Mental Test score of < 8 out of 10 points. The main outcome measures were living at home 30 days after discharge, mortality within 2 years of admission, length of stay, re-admission within 2 years of admission and cost.

Data sources

Scottish Morbidity Records 01 was linked to the Older Persons Routine Acute Assessment data set.

Results

In the systematic review, methodological heterogeneity, especially concerning diagnostic criteria, means that there is significant overlap in conditions of patients presenting to general hospitals with confusion. Patients and their families expect that patients are discharged in the same or a better condition than they were in on admission or, failing that, that they have a satisfactory experience of their admission. Cognitive spectrum disorders were present in more than one-third of patients aged ≥ 65 years, and in over half of those aged ≥ 85 years. Outcomes were worse in those patients with cognitive spectrum disorders than in those without: length of stay 25.0 vs. 11.8 days, 30-day mortality 13.6% vs. 9.0%, 1-year mortality 40.0% vs. 26.0%, 1-year mortality or re-admission 62.4% vs. 51.5%, respectively (all p < 0.01). There was relatively little difference by cognitive spectrum disorder type; for example, the presence of any cognitive spectrum disorder was associated with an increased mortality over the entire period of follow-up, but with different temporal patterns depending on the type of cognitive spectrum disorder. The cost of admission was higher for those with cognitive spectrum disorders, but the average daily cost was lower.

Limitations

A lack of diagnosis and/or standardisation of diagnosis for dementia and/or delirium was a limitation for the systematic review, the quantitative study and the economic study. The economic study was limited to in-hospital costs as data for social or informal care costs were unavailable. The survey was conducted online, limiting its reach to older carers and those people with cognitive spectrum disorders.

Conclusions

Cognitive spectrum disorders are common in older inpatients and are associated with considerably worse health-care outcomes, with significant overlap between individual cognitive spectrum disorders. This suggests the need for health-care systems to systematically identify and develop care pathways for older people with cognitive spectrum disorders, and avoid focusing on only condition-specific pathways.

Future work

Development and evaluation of a multidomain intervention for the management of patients with cognitive spectrum disorders in hospital.

Study registration

This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42015024492.

Funding

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Services and Delivery Research programme and will be published in full in Health Services and Delivery Research; Vol. 9, No. 8. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Mental disorders of geriatric inpatients: symptom characteristics and treatment outcome

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to describe neuropsychiatric disorders of geriatric inpatients, to investigate associations of psychopathological symptomatology with clinical variables and to determine its impact on treatment outcome.

METHODS

From January to April 2018, treatment data of geriatric inpatient records were collected retrospectively. Clinical diagnoses of neuropsychiatric disorders, that is, depression, dementia, and delirium, were identified. Clinical correlations were calculated by χ2-tests and t-tests. Confounding variables for determined correlations were ascertained by analyses of variance. Functional measurements (Barthel Index, Timed Up and Go, Tinetti Test, and De Morton Immobility Index) were assessed at start and end of geriatric inpatient treatment.

RESULTS

The mean age of the included 280 inpatients was 84 years, 71% were female, and the mean duration of treatment was 19.5 days. Twenty-nine percent of cases suffered from dementia, 27% from depression, and 15% from delirium at the time of geriatric treatment onset. Mentally ill inpatients, in addition, presented with a significantly higher number of comorbidities, compared to the group of mentally healthy inpatients. In contrast to the dementia and the delirium group of inpatients, prescription of analgetics was highest among the mentally healthy inpatients and inpatients with depression. Improvement was observed in each of the defined groups, and significant functional differences between all groups were found.

CONCLUSION

Neuropsychiatric disorders occur quite often in a geriatric hospital department, especially depression and dementia. Clinical correlations determined in this study suggest a close relationship of mental and somatic disorders in geriatric inpatients. This study further demonstrates that neuropsychiatric disorders in multimorbid, elderly patients do not prevent functional improvement.

Incidence and risk factors for acute delirium in older patients with a hip fracture: A retrospective cohort study

This retrospective cohort study aimed to determine the incidence, and preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative risk factors for postoperative delirium in older patients undergoing surgical fixation of a hip fracture. Electronic medical records were examined of 260 patients who underwent a surgical fixation of a hip fracture between June 2017 and October 2018 at a university-affiliated tertiary care hospital in Victoria, Australia. Demographic, clinical, and perioperative data were examined for potential risk factors for postoperative delirium. Of the 260 patients, 63 patients (24.2%) developed delirium postoperatively. Univariate logistic regression analysis indicated that advanced age, comorbidity, cognitive impairment, dementia, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, and antipsychotic usage were significant risk factors for delirium, while doses of paracetamol, fentanyl, and diazepam showed complex associations. Multivariate logistic regression analysis determined comorbidity and cognitive impairment as independent risk factors for the development of delirium. This study demonstrates the importance of evaluation of medications prescribed in the perioperative period as modifiable risk factors, in order to identify patients at high risk of delirium and enable targeted monitoring and treatment during patients' hospitalization.

Drug related problems in older adults living with dementia

BACKGROUND

Compared with those without dementia, older patients with dementia admitted to acute care settings are at higher risk for triad combination of polypharmacy (PP), potentially inappropriate medication (PIM), and drug-drug interaction (DDI), which may consequently result in detrimental health. The aims of this research were to assess risk factors associated with triad combination of PP, PIM and DDI among hospitalized older patients with dementia, and to assess prevalence and characteristics of PP, PIM and DDI in this population.

METHODS

In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 416 older inpatients diagnosed with dementia and referred for specialist geriatric consultation at a tertiary hospital in Brisbane, Australia during 2006-2016 were enrolled. Patients were categorized into two groups according to their exposure to the combination of PP, PIM and DDI: 'triad combination' and 'non-triad combination'. Data were collected using the interRAI Acute Care (AC) assessment instrument. Independent risk factors of exposure to the triad combination were evaluated using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

Overall, 181 (43.5%) were classified as triad combination group. The majority of the population took at least 1 PIM (56%) or experienced at least one potential DDI (76%). Over 75% of the participants were exposed to polypharmacy. The most common prescribed PIMs were antipsychotics, followed by benzodiazepines. The independent risk factors of the triad combination were the presence of atrial fibrillation diagnosis and higher medications use in cardiac therapy, psycholeptics and psychoanaleptics.

CONCLUSIONS

The exposure to triad combination of PP, PIM and DDI are common among people with dementia as a result of their vulnerable conditions and the greater risks of adverse events from medications use. This study identified the use of cardiac therapy, psycholeptics and psychoanaleptics as predictors of exposure to PP, PIM and DDI. Therefore, use of these medications should be carefully considered and closely monitored. Furthermore, comprehensive medication reviews to optimize medication prescribing should be initiated and continually implemented for this vulnerable population.

Interventions to prevent in-hospital falls in older people with cognitive impairment for further research: A mixed studies review

BACKGROUND

While advances in falls prevention in the adult population have occurred, the care requirements for older patients with cognitive impairment at risk of falling are less established.

OBJECTIVES

To identify interventions to prevent in-hospital falls in older patients with cognitive impairment for further research and describe the strategies used to implement those interventions.

DESIGN

A seven-stage mixed studies review was used.

METHODS

Seven electronic databases were searched. The SPIDER framework guided the review question and selection of search terms. The Mixed Methods Assessment Tool was used to appraise the quality of research studies, and the Quality Improvement Minimum Quality Data Set was used to appraise the quality of quality improvement projects. A convergent qualitative synthesis was used to analyse the extracted data. The adapted PRISMA guideline informed the procedures.

RESULTS

Ten projects (five quality improvements and five researches) were included. Five themes emerged from the synthesis: engaging with families in falls prevention, assessing falls risk to identify interventions, extending nursing observation through technology, conducting a medication review and initiating nonpharmacological delirium prevention interventions. Implementation was not well described and commonly focused on capital investment to initiate a falls prevention programme and education to introduce staff to the new techniques for practice.

CONCLUSIONS

Emerging research and quality improvement studies demonstrate that effective falls prevention with this vulnerable population is possible but requires further investigation before widespread practice recommendations can be made. Further research and quality improvement in this area should consider adoption of an implementation framework to address sustainability.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Reducing falls in older people with cognitive impairment requires nurses to work more closely with pharmacists, occupational therapists and social workers to develop strategies that work and are sustainable.

Delirium, Dementia, and In-Hospital Mortality: The Results From the Italian Delirium Day 2016, A National Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND

There is little evidence about the prevalence of cognitive disorders and their effect on in-hospital mortality in large multicenter studies. The objectives of the 2016th edition of the "Italian Delirium Day," a large multicenter study on in-hospital older patients, were to assess (i) the point prevalence of cognitive impairment/no dementia, dementia, delirium, and delirium superimposed on dementia and (ii) the effect of these conditions on in-hospital mortality.

METHODS

This multicenter study and included 2,037 older patients (aged ≥65 years) admitted to acute medical and surgical wards across 205 acute hospitals. The four cognitive disorders groups were defined with a structured approach including the four AT and the presence of a documented diagnosis of dementia. The outcome measure was in-hospital mortality, as reported by the researchers involved in the study in each center.

RESULTS

The mean age was 81.17 ± 7.7 years. Overall, 893 patients (43.8%) had neither delirium nor dementia nor cognitive impairment, 483 (23.7%) had cognitive impairment/no dementia, 230 (11.3%) dementia alone, 187 (9.2%) delirium alone, and 244 (12.0%) delirium superimposed on dementia. Overall, 99 (4.8%) patients died. Participants with delirium alone (odds ratio 2.56; 95% confidence interval: 1.29-5.09) and those with delirium superimposed on dementia (odds ratio 2.60; 95% confidence interval: 1.39-4.85) had higher mortality risk compared with the reference group of patients with "no cognitive impairment."

CONCLUSIONS

Delirium and delirium superimposed on dementia were highly prevalent among older hospitalized patients and significantly increased in-hospital mortality. Clinicians should systematically assess these conditions and recognize them as markers of critical conditions and predictors of imminent death.

Results from a double blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled, feasibility trial of melatonin for the treatment of delirium in older medical inpatients

BACKGROUND

Delirium is common in elderly inpatients, causing distress, cognitive decline and death. No known intervention improves the course of delirium; current treatments are symptomatic, and limited by lack of efficacy and adverse effects. There is an urgent need to find an effective treatment for delirium.

AIMS

To determine the feasibility of a trial of oral melatonin 5 mg nightly for five nights for the treatment of delirium in older medical inpatients, and determine the participants required to demonstrate a clinically and statistically significant decrease in severity of delirium in older medical inpatients treated with melatonin.

METHODS

This was a double blinded, randomised controlled trial in general internal medicine units of a tertiary teaching hospital. Older (≥70 years) inpatients with confusion assessment method positive hyperactive or mixed delirium were suitable for inclusion. Subjects received melatonin 5 mg oral nightly for five nights or matching placebo. The primary outcome was the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS) administered daily.

RESULTS

No adverse effects occurred due to melatonin. In the treatment group, the mean change in MDAS from baseline during treatment period was 2.5 ± 5.0 points, in the placebo group, 2.1 ± 4.1 points, a non-significant difference. A power calculation accounting for drop-out (31.0%), suggests 120 participants would be required to demonstrate with 90% power that melatonin 5 mg reduces the severity of delirium by 3 points or more on MDAS.

CONCLUSIONS

A trial of the hypothesis that 5 mg melatonin nightly for five nights reduces delirium severity in older medical inpatients would require 120 patients, and is feasible.

Prevalence of Dementia Among Older Patients: A Hospital-Based Study in Iran

BACKGROUND

Dementia constitutes a public health hazard in developing countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of dementia and its associated factors in older hospitalized patients.

METHODS

The participants of this cross-sectional study consisted of older patients admitted to medical wards in Rasoul-e Akram hospital in Tehran, Iran. Mini-Mental State Examination, Mini-Cog test, Geriatric Depression Scale, Activities of Daily Living-Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (ADL-IADL) scale, and socioeconomic questionnaires were used.

RESULTS

A total of 205 elderly inpatients were included. The mean age was 71.33 ± 7.35 years; 63.4% of the participants had normal cognitive function, while 36.6% had some degree of cognitive impairment. There was a statistically significant relationship between gender, age, number of children, and occupation and the prevalence of dementia.

CONCLUSION

Appropriate cognitive screening of older patients upon admission to hospitals could help identify potential adverse events and enhance the quality of care for patients with comorbid dementia.

Fundamental care for people with cognitive impairment in the hospital setting: A study combining positive organisational scholarship and video-reflexive ethnography

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To clarify how high-quality fundamentals of care for people with dementia and/or delirium were practised in a specialist geriatric evaluation and management unit.

BACKGROUND

Older people with cognitive impairment represent a significant number of people who are admitted to hospital. They are at increased risk of dying, readmission and long hospital stays, relative to those without cognitive impairment. There is an urgent need to elucidate the conditions that underpin safe and high-quality fundamental care for these patients and their families.

METHODS

Using the innovative methodologies of positive organisational scholarship in healthcare and video-reflexive ethnography, this 18-month study was conducted within an inpatient geriatric evaluation and management unit for people with dementia and/or delirium in South Australia. Patients, family members and staff members (managerial, clinical and nonclinical) participated by allowing researchers to document ethnographic fieldwork notes and film their practices and/or accounts thereof; and/or interpreting digital recordings with researchers in order to make sense of data in a process of co-analysis. This study is reported using Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research reporting guidelines.

RESULTS

High-quality fundamental care for people with dementia and/or delirium in hospital and their families was associated with the special space of the hospital unit; an aptitude for people with dementia; a capacity to translate person-centred fundamentals of care from rhetoric to reality; and an appreciation for teamwork.

CONCLUSION

This study clarified how teams working in hospital can practise high-quality fundamentals of care for older people with dementia and/or delirium. Delivery of high-quality fundamental care in this setting was dependent, not only on nurses, but the entire ward team working cohesively in a "weave of commitment."

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Efforts to improve fundamental care for people with cognitive impairment need to encompass values and philosophy of person-centred care, including the contributions by all staff to care delivery.

Differentiation of delirium, dementia and delirium superimposed on dementia in the older person

Delirium is an acute clinical emergency that requires prompt clinical intervention. A predisposing factor for delirium is dementia, and delirium may highlight the vulnerability of a patient to developing dementia. However, delirium also occurs during an acute illness in patients diagnosed with dementia; this is classified as delirium superimposed on dementia. This complex interplay of both dementia syndromes and the condition of delirium has been extensively studied. However, delirium continues to be under-recognised in the acute setting, which impacts negatively on patient outcomes. Nurses are the health professionals best placed to recognise a change in a patient's cognitive symptoms, but nurses caring for the older person have suggested the identification of and differentiation between delirium, dementia and delirium superimposed on dementia remains very confusing. A need for further education with supportive guidelines and protocols is required to empower nurses caring for an older person to verbalise changes in patients' cognitive status in a reliable, robust and systematic manner.

Economic impact of delirium in Australia: a cost of illness study

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the economic impact of delirium in the Australian population in 2016-2017, including financial costs, and its burden on health.

DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

A cost of illness study was conducted for the Australian population in the 2016-2017 financial year. The prevalence of delirium in 2016-2017 was calculated to inform cost estimations. The costs estimated in this study also include dementia attributable to delirium.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The total and per capita costs were analysed for three categories: health systems costs, other financial costs including productivity losses and informal care and cost associated with loss of well-being (burden of disease). Costs were expressed in 2016-2017 pound sterling (£) and Australian dollars ($A).

RESULTS

There were an estimated 132 595 occurrences of delirium in 2016-2017, and more than 900 deaths were attributed to delirium in 2016-2017. Delirium causes an estimated 10.6% of dementia in Australia. The total costs of delirium in Australia were estimated to be £4.3 billion ($A8.8 billion) in 2016-2017, ranging between £2.6 billion ($A5.3 billion) and £5.9 billion ($A12.1 billion). The total estimated costs comprised financial costs of £1.7 billion and the value of healthy life lost of £2.5 billion. Dementia attributable to delirium accounted for £2.2 billion of the total cost of delirium.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings highlight the substantial burden that delirium imposes on Australian society-both in terms of financial costs associated with health system expenditure and the increased need for residential aged care due to the functional and cognitive decline associated with delirium and dementia. To reduce the substantial well-being costs of delirium, further research should seek to better understand the potential pathways from an episode of delirium to subsequent mortality and reduced cognitive functioning outcomes.

Investigation into attitudes towards older people with dementia in acute hospital using the Approaches to Dementia Questionnaire

Background

Health care professionals have poor recognition of cognitive impairment among older patients and often have difficulties in providing care for people with dementia in acute hospitals. There are also reported high levels of stigma and negative staff attitudes towards people with dementia.

Methodology

A one-time survey of staff working on acute medical and orthopaedic wards of five District Health Boards in New Zealand using the ‘Approaches to Dementia Questionnaire’; a 19-item Questionnaire that aims to capture two attitudinal domains (Hope and Person-Centredness), towards people with dementia. A total of 563 questionnaires were distributed. Data were analysed using R.

Results

Three hundred and four (53.99%) respondents completed the survey. Ninety-four of the respondents (31.1%) were aged 51 years or older, and nearly all (88.4%) were women. One hundred and sixty-four of the respondents (53.9%) were registered nurses, 10 were student nurses (3.3%), 24 (7.9%) were healthcare assistants, 70 (23.0%) were allied health professionals, 27 (8.9%) were doctors and 9 (3%) were pharmacists. The mean total score of 72.7 reflected positive attitudes overall on the part of the respondents. Allied health professionals, student nurses and pharmacists had high scores on both scales whilst healthcare assistants scored lowest on both scales.

Conclusion

Overall, the Approaches to Dementia Questionnaire is a useful measure, but it can be difficult to differentiate between genuine attitudinal differences and confounding influences such as level of knowledge and education amongst such a diverse group of participants. Differences between staff may be considered as a reflection of the high level of direct care that is expected of some staff and not of others. Further, the Approaches to Dementia Questionnaire may not be the most appropriate measure to accurately understand attitudes to dementia care in acute environments; and that it more usefully reveals knowledge about dementia rather than attitudes related to real-time practice.

Case finding for dementia during acute hospital admissions: a mixed-methods study exploring the impacts on patient care after discharge and costs for the English National Health Service

OBJECTIVE

Between 2012 and 2017 dementia case finding was routinely carried out on people aged 75 years and over with unplanned admissions to acute hospitals across England. The assumption was that this would lead to better planning of care and treatment for patients with dementia following discharge from hospital. However, little is known about the experiences of patients and carers or the impacts on other health services. This study explored the impact of dementia case finding on older people and their families and on their use of services.

DESIGN

Thematic content analysis was conducted on qualitative interview data and costs associated with service use were estimated. Measures included the Mini-Mental State Examination, the EuroQol quality of life scale and a modified Client Service Receipt Inventory.

SETTING

Four counties in the East of England.

PARTICIPANTS

People aged ≥75 years who had been identified by case finding during an unplanned hospital admission as warranting further investigation of possible dementia and their family carers.

RESULTS

We carried out 28 interviews, including 19 joint patient-carer(s), 5 patient only and 4 family carer interviews. Most patients and carers were unaware that memory assessments had taken place, with many families not being informed or involved in the process. Participants had a variety of views on memory testing in hospital and had concerns about how hospitals carried out assessments and communicated results. Overall, case finding did not lead to general practitioner (GP) follow-up after discharge home or lead to referral for further investigation. Few services were initiated because of dementia case finding in hospital.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that dementia case finding may not lead to increased GP follow-up or service provision for patients after discharge from hospital. There is a need for a more evidence-based approach to the initiation of mandatory initiatives such as case finding that inevitably consume stretched human and financial resources.

Evaluation of a method to estimate the point prevalence of cognitive impairment and delirium in a multi-campus Australian health service

OBJECTIVE

To design, test (pilot) and implement a study to estimate the point prevalence of cognitive impairment (CI) and delirium in a multi-site health service.

METHODS

Clinicians were trained to use the 4 A's Test (4AT) to screen for cognitive impairment and delirium, and the 3-minute Diagnostic Interview for the Confusion Assessment Method (3D-CAM) to detect delirium in those with abnormal 4AT results. Outcomes of interest were as follows: (a) rates of cognitive impairment and delirium and (b) feasibility of the approach measured by participation rate, "direct survey activity" time, cost and surveyor preparation.

RESULTS

The rates of cognitive impairment and delirium were 43.8% (245/559) and 16.3% (91/559), respectively. 90.5% (563/622) of eligible adult patients from 25 acute and subacute wards were seen. "Direct survey activities" averaged 14 minutes (range 2-45) and cost $11.48 per patient. Training evaluation indicated additional education in the 4AT and 3D-CAM was needed.

CONCLUSION

Health services could use this streamlined, inexpensive method to estimate the point prevalence of cognitive impairment and delirium.

Undiagnosed delirium is frequent and difficult to predict: Results from a prevalence survey of a tertiary hospital

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To study the prevalence and determinants of undiagnosed delirium in a tertiary hospital.

BACKGROUND

Delirium is a common inpatient condition. It is frequently undiagnosed in a variety of settings, but determinants of undiagnosed delirium are largely unknown, and the frequency of undiagnosed delirium across all inpatient units is uncertain. The utility of hospital-wide screening then is also uncertain.

METHODS

Hospital-wide prevalence study conducted over 4 months, using a chart-based method. Gender, age, admitting unit, history of dementia and comorbidity were used in univariate and multivariate analyses to search for differences in patients with no delirium, with undiagnosed delirium and with diagnosed delirium. Sensitivity, specificity and number needed to screen were calculated from proportions in each group. Study was conducted in concordance with STROBE guidelines.

RESULTS

Delirium was prevalent in 12.5% of all patients and undiagnosed in 24.1% of patients. Only age ≥65 years and a history of dementia predicted delirium, and undiagnosed delirium in both univariate and multivariate analyses. Age ≥65 years accounts for 92.3% sensitivity and 50.8% specificity for undiagnosed delirium in this group. History of dementia had a 23.0% sensitivity and 97.0% specificity. Twenty-eight patients would need to be screened to detect a case of undiagnosed delirium.

DISCUSSION

There was a high rate of delirium and undiagnosed delirium in this cohort. Known risk factors for delirium also independently predict undiagnosed delirium; other factors were not found.

CONCLUSION

Undiagnosed delirium is common and difficult to predict from patient baseline characteristics other than age.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Assessment of all inpatients for delirium is recommended.

Length of hospital stay and dementia: A systematic review of observational studies

OBJECTIVE

Hospitalizations of people with dementia (PWD) are often accompanied by complications or functional loss and can lead to adverse outcomes. Unsystematic findings suggest an influence of comorbidities on the extent of differences in the length of hospital stay (LOS). This systematic review aimed to identify and evaluate all studies reporting LOS in PWD as compared to PwoD in general hospitals.

METHODS

A systematic review of observational studies using PubMed and ISI Web of Knowledge. Inclusion criteria comprised original studies written in English or German, assessment of diagnosis of dementia, measurement of LOS, and comparison of people with and without dementia.

RESULTS

Fifty-two of 60 studies reported a longer hospitalization time for PWD compared to PwoD. The extent of the difference in LOS varied between and within countries as well as by type of primary morbidity (eg, injuries, cardiovascular diseases). The range of the LOS difference for studies without restriction to a primary morbidity was -2 to +22 days after matching or adjustment for a variable number and selection of potentially relevant covariates. For studies with injuries/fractures/medical procedures and infectious/vascular disease as the primary morbidity, the range was -2.9 to +12.4 and -11.2 to +21.8 days, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of studies reported a longer hospitalization of PWD compared to PwoD. Length of hospital stay seems to be influenced by a variety of medical, social, organizational factors, including reasons for hospital admission, whose role should be explored in detail in further research.

Dementia in older people admitted to hospital: An analysis of length of stay and associated costs

OBJECTIVES

Patients with dementia in the acute setting are generally considered to impose higher costs on the health system compared to those without the disease largely due to longer length of stay (LOS). Many studies exploring the economic impact of the disease extrapolate estimates based on the costs of patients diagnosed using routinely collected hospital discharge data only. However, much dementia is undiagnosed, and therefore in limiting the analysis to this cohort, we believe that LOS and the associated costs of dementia may be overestimated. We examined LOS and associated costs in a cohort of patients specifically screened for dementia in the hospital setting.

METHODS

Using primary data collected from a prospective observational study of patients aged ≥70 years, we conducted a comparative analysis of LOS and associated hospital costs for patients with and without a diagnosis of dementia.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in overall length of stay and total costs between those with (μ = 9.9 days, μ = € 8246) and without (μ = 8.25 days, μ = € 6855) dementia. Categorical data analysis of LOS and costs between the two groups provided mixed results.

CONCLUSIONS

The results challenge the basis for estimating the costs of dementia in the acute setting using LOS data from only those patients with a formal dementia diagnosis identified by routinely collected hospital discharge data. Accurate disease prevalence data, encompassing all stages of disease severity, are required to enable an estimation of the true costs of dementia in the acute setting based on LOS.

Development and Testing of the interRAI Acute Care: A Standardized Assessment Administered by Nurses for Patients Admitted to Acute Care

Background:

Underpinning standards for developing comprehensive care in hospital is the need to identify, early in the admission process, functional and psychosocial issues which affect patient outcomes. Despite the value of comprehensive assessment of patients on admission, the process is often sub-optimal due to a lack of standardized assessment practices. This project aimed to develop a concise, integrated assessment for patients admitted to acute care and test its psychometric properties.

Methods:

Two international expert panels of clinicians and health scientists collaborated to establish design parameters. Using clinical observations and a variety of derivative applications sourced from the interRAI research collaborative repository, the panels constructed a draft instrument to examine feasibility, resource requirements, and inter-rater reliability. Field testing was conducted in Australia and Canada. Next, the system was revised to its final form, the interRAI Acute Care, after feedback and review from international interRAI members.

Results:

Constructed using 56 items, the interRAI Acute Care required a median of 15 minutes to complete. Inter-rater reliability tested on 130 paired assessments was substantial to almost perfect for 78% of the clinical items and moderate for the remaining 22% of items. A subset of 30 items from the admission assessment comprised the discharge assessment.

Discussion:

The interRAI Acute Care has been shown to be an efficient nursing assessment instrument with good psychometric properties. Implementation in a digital environment will enable documentation and care planning to comply with standards for quality of care in the general adult hospital population.

Is increased carer knowledge of the health care system associated with decreased preventable hospitalizations for people in the community diagnosed with dementia? A systematic review protocol

BACKGROUND

People living with dementia (PLWD) are admitted to hospital twice as often as those without dementia, for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) that could have been managed in ambulatory and primary care settings. PLWD are at greater risk of poor outcomes during and following hospital admission. Compared to those without dementia, they are almost twice as likely to die in hospital and two to three times more likely to experience an adverse event. Although some hospitalizations are clinically necessary, there may be a proportion related to ACSC that could be potentially avoided with additional support and education for PLWD and their carers. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of interventions focused on reducing avoidable hospitalization for PLWD by supporting carers to manage the health care needs of the PLWD, via improved awareness and understanding of health and the healthcare system.

METHOD

Scientific and gray literature will be searched using a combination of keywords pertaining to dementia, caregivers, education, and support. Included studies will involve community-dwelling PLWD and caregivers, with interventions aimed at improving carer's understanding of the healthcare system and ability to manage the caregiving role. The primary outcome will be hospitalization related to the PLWD and secondary outcomes will be carer burden, stress, wellbeing, and quality of life. All study designs will be considered. Data from included studies will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. If the data permits, we will perform a meta-analysis and subgroup analyses, related to the intervention and participant characteristics.

DISCUSSION

This review will provide a comprehensive picture of the knowledge available on the subject and identify knowledge gaps in existing literature. The findings may highlight the lack of existing interventions for PLWD and their carers who live in the community and will help stakeholders to identify needs and develop programs targeted to carers and care recipients that prevent avoidable hospitalization for PLWD.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO number: 49655 .

The Prevalence of Dementia and Cognitive Impairment in Hospitals

BACKGROUND

The care of elderly patients with comorbid dementia poses an increasing challenge in the acute inpatient setting, yet there remains a lack of representative studies on the prevalence and distribution of dementia in general hospitals.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients aged 65 and older in randomly selected general hospitals in southern Germany. Patients were excluded if they were in an intensive care unit or isolation unit or if they were on specialized wards for psychiatry, neurology, or geriatric medicine. The findings are derived from patient interviews, neuropsychological testing, standardized rating scales, questioning of nursing staff, and the patients' medical records.

RESULTS

1469 patients on 172 inpatient wards of 33 hospitals were studied. 40.0% of them (95% confidence interval, [36.2; 43.7]) had at least mild cognitive impairment. The point-prevalence of dementing illnesses was 18.4% [16.3; 20.7]. Delirium, most often on the basis of dementia, was present in 5.1% [3.9; 6.7]. 60.0% had no cognitive impairment. Dementia was more common among patients of very advanced age, those who were dependent on nursing care, those who lived in old-age or nursing homes, and those with a low level of education. Among patients with dementia, only 36.7% had a documented diagnosis of dementia in the medical record. Patients with dementia were treated more often for dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, urinary tract infections, contusions, and bone fractures, as well as for symptoms and findings of an unknown nature, and much less often for cancer or musculoskeletal diseases.

CONCLUSION

Two out of five elderly patients in general hospitals suffer from a cognitive disturbance. Patients with severe impairments such as dementia or delirium often need special care. Guidelines and model projects offer approaches by which the inpatient care of patients with comorbid dementia can be improved.

Delivery of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy for people with dementia in an inpatient setting (innovative practice)

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy is a 14-session group programme delivered over seven weeks, designed for people in the early to moderate stages of dementia, and typically delivered in a community setting. Less is known about its delivery and usefulness in an inpatient setting. Additional factors that impact on Cognitive Stimulation Therapy delivery in an inpatient setting included length of hospital stay, additional support needs of the patient and pre-group planning. Feedback suggested intermittent Cognitive Stimulation Therapy delivery in practice was a positive experience for both patients and staff. This supports the delivery of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy regardless of the potential limitations in an inpatient setting.

Trends in Hospital Morbidity From Alzheimer's Disease in the European Union, 2000 to 2014

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has become a concerning public health issue. We aimed to analyze the trends of hospital morbidity from AD in the European Union (EU) in the period 2000 to 2014.

METHODS

Data from hospital discharges of men and women over 50 years old hospitalized due to AD in the EU were extracted from Eurostat database. We tested for secular trends computing anual percent change, and identified significant changes in the linear slope of the trend.

RESULTS

Hospital morbidity from AD showed a 0.8% (95% confidence intervals -2.2 to 0.6) slight declining trend in the EU. In men and women, we recorded a -0.5% and -1.0% decrease in hospital morbidity rates, respectively. Several countries showed changing trends during the study period.

CONCLUSION

Alzheimer's disease hospital morbidity has slightly declined in the entire EU in the past years. Eastern European countries showed steadily increasing trends, whereas in western and Mediterranean countries the rates decreased or leveled off.

CogChamps: impact of a project to educate nurses about delirium and improve the quality of care for hospitalized patients with cognitive impairment

BACKGROUND

Achieving sustainable practice changes to ensure best-practice nursing care in acute hospital environments can be challenging and is not well understood. A multi-faceted practice change intervention was implemented in a large Australian hospital to enhance the capacity of the nursing workforce to provide quality care for older patients with cognitive impairment (CI).

METHODS

Thirty-four experienced Registered Nurses (RNs) became Cognition Champions (CogChamps), and led practice-change initiatives to improve nursing care for older patients (≥65 years) on six wards in one hospital. The CogChamps received comprehensive education about dementia and the identification, prevention, and management of delirium. Over five months, they were supported to develop and implement ward-specific Action Plans designed to change care practices. Nurse-patient interactions were observed and patient charts were audited prior to the implementation of the plans and regularly throughout, using a purpose built Audit/ Observational tool. Data were also collected at a comparable hospital where there were no CogChamps. Data were analyzed for evidence of practice change.

RESULTS

Observational and audit data were collected for 181 patients (average age = 82.5 years) across the two hospitals. All patients had CI and both cohorts had similar behavioral characteristics requiring a high level of care assistance [e.g. 38% displayed evidence of confusion/disorientation and a majority experienced meal-time difficulty (62-70%)]. While nursing practices were generally the same at both hospitals, some differences were evident (e.g. analgesia use was higher at the control hospital). Following implementation of Action Plans, significant increases in nurses' assessments of patients' cognitive functioning (35 to 69%), and administration of analgesia (27 to 48%) were observed at the intervention hospital, although only the improvement in cognitive assessments was maintained at three months follow-up. No other changes in nursing processes were evident.

CONCLUSION

The CogChamps project demonstrates how RN champions were empowered to educate their colleagues about dementia and delirium resulting in a sustained increase in cognitive assessments by ward nurses. Practice improvements were mostly associated with clearly defined Action Plan tasks and goals and where responsibility for task completion was clearly assigned. These elements appear to be important when implementing practice changes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Australian Clinical Trials Registration Number: ACTRN 12617000563369 . Retrospectively registered.

Dementia case-finding in hospitals: a qualitative study exploring the views of healthcare professionals in English primary care and secondary care

OBJECTIVES

In 2012-2013, the English National Health Service mandated hospitals to conduct systematic case-finding of people with dementia among older people with unplanned admissions. The method was not defined. The aim of this study was to understand current approaches to dementia case-finding in acute hospitals in England and explore the views of healthcare professionals on perceived benefits and challenges.

DESIGN

Qualitative study involving interviews, focus groups and thematic content analysis.

SETTING

Primary care and secondary care across six counties in the East of England.

PARTICIPANTS

Hospital staff involved in dementia case-finding and primary care staff in the catchment areas of those hospitals.

RESULTS

We recruited 23 hospital staff and 36 primary care staff, including 30 general practitioners (GPs). Analysis resulted in three themes: (1) lack of consistent approaches in case-finding processes, (2) barriers between primary care and secondary care which impact on case-finding outcomes and (3) perceptions of rationale, aims and impacts of case-finding. The study shows that there were variations in how well hospitals recorded and reported outcomes to GPs. Barriers between primary care and secondary care, including GPs' lack of access to hospital investigations and lack of clarity about roles and responsibilities, impacted case-finding outcomes. Staff in secondary care were more positive about the initiative than primary care staff, and there were conflicting priorities for primary care and secondary care regarding case-finding.

CONCLUSIONS

The study suggests a more evidence-based approach was needed to justify approaches to dementia case-finding. Information communicated to primary care from hospitals needs to be comprehensive, appropriate and consistent before GPs can effectively plan further investigation, treatment or care. Follow-up in primary care further requires access to options for postdiagnostic support. There is a need to evaluate the outcomes for patients and the economic impact on health and care services across settings.

Validation of the 6-Item Cognitive Impairment Test and the 4AT test for combined delirium and dementia screening in older Emergency Department attendees

Background

screening for cognitive impairment in Emergency Department (ED) requires short, reliable tools.

Objective

to validate the 4AT and 6-Item Cognitive Impairment Test (6-CIT) for ED dementia and delirium screening.

Design

diagnostic accuracy study.

Setting/subjects

attendees aged ≥70 years in a tertiary care hospital’s ED.

Methods

trained researchers assessed participants using the Standardised Mini Mental State Examination, Delirium Rating Scale-Revised 98 and Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly, informing ultimate expert diagnosis using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) criteria for dementia and delirium (reference standards). Another researcher blindly screened each participant, within 3 h, using index tests 4AT and 6-CIT.

Result

of 419 participants (median age 77 years), 15.2% had delirium and 21.5% had dementia. For delirium detection, 4AT had positive predictive value (PPV) 0.68 (95% confidence intervals: 0.58–0.79) and negative predictive value (NPV) 0.99 (0.97–1.00). At a pre-specified 9/10 cut-off (9 is normal), 6-CIT had PPV 0.35 (0.27–0.44) and NPV 0.98 (0.95–0.99).

Importantly, 52% of participants had no family present. A novel algorithm for scoring 4AT item 4 where collateral history is unavailable (score 4 if items 2–3 score ≥1; score 0 if items 1–3 score is 0) proved reliable; PPV 0.65 (0.54–0.76) and NPV 0.99 (0.97–1.00). For dementia detection, 4AT had PPV 0.39 (0.32–0.46) and NPV 0.94 (0.89–0.96); 6-CIT had PPV 0.46 (0.37–0.55) and NPV 0.94 (0.90–0.97).

Conclusion

6-CIT and 4AT accurately exclude delirium and dementia in older ED attendees. 6-CIT does not require collateral history but has lower PPV for delirium.

Five short screening tests in the detection of prevalent delirium: diagnostic accuracy and performance in different neurocognitive subgroups

BACKGROUND

Delirium is prevalent and serious, yet remains under-recognised. Systematic screening could improve detection; however, consensus is lacking as to the best approach. Our aim was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of five simple cognitive tests in delirium screening: six-item cognitive impairment test (6-CIT), clock-drawing test, spatial span forwards, months of the year backwards (MOTYB) and intersecting pentagons (IPT).

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted. Within 36 h of admission, older medical patients were assessed for delirium using the Revised Delirium Rating Scale. They also underwent testing using the five cognitive tests outlined above. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV; NPV) were calculated for each method. Where appropriate, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was also calculated.

RESULTS

Four hundred seventy patients were included, and 184 had delirium. Of the tests scored on a scale, the 6-CIT had the highest AUC (0.876), the optimum cut-off for delirium screening being 8/9 (sensitivity 89.9%, specificity 62.7%, NPV 91.2%, PPV 59.2%). The MOTYB, scored in a binary fashion, also performed well (sensitivity 84.6%, specificity 58.4%, NPV 87.4%, PPV 52.8). On discriminant analysis, 6-CIT was the only test to discriminate between patients with delirium and those with dementia (without delirium), Wilks' Lambda = 0.748, p < 0.001.

CONCLUSION

The 6-CIT measures attention, temporal orientation and short-term memory and shows promise as a delirium screening test. This study suggests that it may also have potential in distinguishing the cognitive impairment of delirium from that of dementia in older patients. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Development and pilot testing of the "focus on the person" form: Supporting care transitions for people with dementia

When people with dementia are hospitalised, their capacity to communicate with the staff may be limited, compounding risks of distress and other adverse outcomes. Opportunities for carers to share relevant information to inform appropriate person-centred care are also limited. This four-phase mixed methods study aimed to develop an evidence-based family carer–staff communication form, the Focus on the Person form, to address this concern. In Phase I, a literature review plus consultation with clinicians and carers informed form development. In Phase II, the professionally formatted form was piloted by 31 family carers, who were then interviewed about their experiences. These data, combined with data from 30 hospital staff members who participated in Phase III focus groups, led to final, Phase IV, refinements of the form. The form now provides an opportunity for families to inform the person-centred care of people with dementia in hospital, potentially improving outcomes for this vulnerable group.

The detection, diagnosis, and impact of cognitive impairment among inpatients aged 65 years and over in an Irish general hospital - a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

The diagnosis of dementia remains inadequate, even within clinical settings. Data on rates and degree of impairment among inpatients are vital for service planning and the provision of appropriate patient care as Ireland's population ages.

METHODS

Every patient aged 65 years and over admitted over a two-week period was invited to participate. Those who met inclusion criteria were screened for delirium then underwent cognitive screening. Demographic, functional, and outcome data were obtained from medical records, participants, and family.

RESULTS

Consent to participate was obtained from 68.6% of the eligible population. Data for 143 patients were obtained. Mean age 78.1 years. 27.3% met criteria for dementia and 21% had mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Only 41% of those with dementia and 10% of those with MCI had a previously documented impairment. Between-group analysis showed differences in length of stay (p = 0.003), number of readmissions in 12 months (p = 0.036), and likelihood of returning home (p = 0.039) between the dementia and normal groups. MCI outcomes were similar to the normal group. No difference was seen for one-year mortality. Effects were less pronounced on multivariate analysis but continued to show a significant effect on length of stay even after controlling for demographics, personal and family history, and anxiety and depression screening scores. Patients with dementia remained in hospital 15.3 days longer (p = 0.047). A diagnosis is the single biggest contributing factor to length of stay in our regression model.

CONCLUSIONS

Cognitive impairment is pervasive and under-recognized in the acute hospital and impacts negatively on patient outcomes.

Understanding and managing the risk of "head impact" from in-hospital falls: A cross-sectional analysis of data from 166 public hospitals

BACKGROUND

Falls are a leading cause of preventable harm in the hospitalized elderly, and head impacts (HIs) can be a precursor to serious injury. The aim of this study was to examine if the risk of fall-related HI can be explained by incident characteristics.

METHODS

All reported falls across public hospital facilities in the state of Queensland, Australia, over a 2-year period were analyzed using univariate and multiple logistic regression.

RESULTS

In all, 650 instances of HI were reported across 24 218 falls. Falls due to fainting were associated with elevated HI odds (odds ratio [OR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.30, 3.08). Similarly, falls while walking (OR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.20, 1.81) and falls during certain time periods, namely, from 11:00 pm to midnight (OR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.24, 2.59) and between 5:00 am and 6:00 am (OR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.01, 2.22) were linked to increased HI odds. Falls among males were associated with lowered odds of HI (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.64, 0.74).

CONCLUSIONS

Results confirm links between characteristics of inpatient falls and the likelihood of HI, and these data can assist risk managers to better target fall prevention strategies. Assisted mobility in high-risk patients and improved environmental lighting are advanced as foci for future research.