Delirium is an acute, reversible change in mental status that occurs in over 40% of persons with dementia. Delirium superimposed on dementia (DSD) leads to increased mortality, increased costs, nursing home placement, early re-hospitalization, and functional decline. Delirium in persons with dementia appears to substantially worsen outcomes in persons with dementia----who are already burdened with functional decline. The purpose of this proposed study is to improve nursing detection and management of delirium in persons with dementia and decrease the duration and patient complications of delirium. To achieve these objectives, a multi- component intervention strategy called, Early Nurse Detection of Delirium Superimposed on Dementia (END DSD) will be tested. We propose a paired cluster randomized controlled trial (C-RCT) of three hospitals with a total of six inpatient units and 390 hospitalized persons with dementia to achieve these objectives. END DSD will consist of 1) Nursing education regarding DSD, 2) Computerized decision support through standardized delirium assessment and management screens via the electronic health record (EHR), 3) an identified unit champion on each intervention unit who will be utilized to persuade others nurses to implement the innovation, and 4) Weekly feedback to the nursing staff to further facilitate assessment and management of delirium. We are testing the following specific aims: A.
1 Specific Aim 1 : To determine whether the intervention """"""""END DSD"""""""" improves nurse detection and management of DSD. A.
2 Specific Aim 2 : To determine the effect of the """"""""END DSD"""""""" intervention on patient clinical outcomes, including duration of delirium and rate of psychoactive medications. This study focuses on a costly and prevalent problem, and utilizes a novel approach that via the EHR will clearly be replicable across settings of care. END-DSD has the potential to significantly improve quality of life and decrease costs of care by: improving the detection of DSD;increasing the use of non-pharmacological management of DSD;shortening the duration of delirium and hospital length of stay;and decreasing the use of inappropriate medications, thus mitigating the complications of DSD. This project builds on over a decade of funded research and clinical practice by the investigators, and brings their unique and collaborative efforts together in an innovative manner to impact the under addressed problem of DSD in hospitalized older adults.

Public Health Relevance

Delirium (acute confusion) is common and costly in persons with dementia, resulting in longer hospital stays, more complications, and greater functional decline. This research tests the use of the electronic health record, education, and regular feedback to nurses to improve detection and management of delirium. Ultimately, findings will direct ways to improve acute care of this vulnerable population.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NR011042-02
Application #
8046490
Study Section
Nursing Science: Adults and Older Adults Study Section (NSAA)
Program Officer
Tully, Lois
Project Start
2010-04-01
Project End
2015-02-28
Budget Start
2011-03-01
Budget End
2012-02-29
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$513,814
Indirect Cost
Name
Pennsylvania State University
Department
Other Health Professions
Type
Schools of Nursing
DUNS #
003403953
City
University Park
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
16802
Fick, Donna M; Inouye, Sharon K; McDermott, Caroline et al. (2018) Pilot Study of a Two-Step Delirium Detection Protocol Administered By Certified Nursing Assistants, Physicians, and Registered Nurses. J Gerontol Nurs 44:18-24
Miller, G Edward; Sarpong, Eric M; Davidoff, Amy J et al. (2017) Determinants of Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use among Community-Dwelling Older Adults. Health Serv Res 52:1534-1549
Yevchak, Andrea; Fick, Donna M; Kolanowski, Ann M et al. (2017) Implementing Nurse-Facilitated Person-Centered Care Approaches for Patients With Delirium Superimposed on Dementia in the Acute Care Setting. J Gerontol Nurs 43:21-28
Paulson, Christina May; Monroe, Todd; McDougall Jr, Graham J et al. (2016) A Family-Focused Delirium Educational Initiative With Practice and Research Implications. Gerontol Geriatr Educ 37:4-11
Vasunilashorn, Sarinnapha M; Guess, Jamey; Ngo, Long et al. (2016) Derivation and Validation of a Severity Scoring Method for the 3-Minute Diagnostic Interview for Confusion Assessment Method--Defined Delirium. J Am Geriatr Soc 64:1684-9
Davidoff, Amy J; Miller, G Edward; Sarpong, Eric M et al. (2015) Prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults using the 2012 Beers criteria. J Am Geriatr Soc 63:486-500
Fick, Donna M; Inouye, Sharon K; Guess, Jamey et al. (2015) Preliminary development of an ultrabrief two-item bedside test for delirium. J Hosp Med 10:645-50
Paulson, Christina May; Monroe, Todd; Mion, Lorraine C (2014) Pain assessment in hospitalized older adults with dementia and delirium. J Gerontol Nurs 40:10-5
Yevchak, Andrea M; Fick, Donna M; McDowell, Jane et al. (2014) Barriers and facilitators to implementing delirium rounds in a clinical trial across three diverse hospital settings. Clin Nurs Res 23:201-15
Fick, Donna M; Steis, Melinda R; Waller, Jennifer L et al. (2013) Delirium superimposed on dementia is associated with prolonged length of stay and poor outcomes in hospitalized older adults. J Hosp Med 8:500-5

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