Implementing a Delirium Risk Stratification Tool and Rounds to Identify and Prevent Delirium in Hospitalized Older Adults

Abstract

Background: 

Up to 40% of delirium cases are preventable, and early identification is key to improve patient outcomes.

Purpose: 

To implement and evaluate a multidisciplinary delirium intervention program.

Intervention: 

The delirium intervention program targeted patients at high risk for delirium and included patient and nurse education, risk stratification, multidisciplinary rounds, a nonpharmacological intervention bundle, and a treatment order set.

Results: 

After implementation, there was a reduction in length of stay of 6.3 days (P = .01), a 24% decrease in disposition to a skilled nursing facility (P = .05), and increased detection of delirium by nurses.

Conclusion: 

Positive patient outcomes were achieved by employing a multifactorial approach for delirium identification, prevention, and management. The components of this quality improvement project provide guidance to hospitals seeking to develop a delirium intervention program.