A world-wide study on delirium assessments and presence of protocols

the WDAD Study Group, on behalf of the WDAD Study Group, Peter Nydahl, Keibun Liu, Giuseppe Bellelli, Julie Benbenishty, Mark Van Den Boogaard, Gideon Caplan, Chi Ryang Chung, Muhammed Elhadi, Mohan Gurjar, Gabi Heras-La Calle, Magdalena Hoffmann, Marie Madlen Jeitziner, Karla Krewulak, Tanya Mailhot, Alessandro Morandi, Ricardo Kenji Nawa, Esther S. Oh, Marie O. ColletMaria Carolina Paulino, Heidi Lindroth, Rebecca Von Haken, Kasia BAIL

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Delirium is a common complication of older people in hospitals, rehabilitation and long-term facilities. Objective: To assess the worldwide use of validated delirium assessment tools and the presence of delirium management protocols. Design: Secondary analysis of a worldwide one-day point prevalence study on World Delirium Awareness Day, 15 March 2023. Setting: Cross-sectional online survey including hospitals, rehabilitation and long-term facilities. Methods: Participating clinicians reported data on delirium, the presence of protocols, delirium assessments, delirium-awareness interventions, non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions, and ward/unit-specific barriers. Results: Data from 44 countries, 1664 wards/units and 36 048 patients were analysed. Validated delirium assessments were used in 66.7% (n = 1110) of wards/units, 18.6% (n = 310) used personal judgement or no assessment, and 10% (n = 166) used other assessment methods. A delirium management protocol was reported in 66.8% (n = 1094) of wards/units. The presence of protocols for delirium management varied across continents, ranging from 21.6% (on 21/97 wards/units) in Africa to 90.4% (235/260) in Australia, similar to the use of validated delirium assessments with 29.6% (29/98) in Africa to 93.5% (116/124) in North America. Wards/units with a delirium management protocol [n = 1094/1664, 66.8%] were more likely to use a validated delirium test than those without a protocol [odds ratio 6.97 (95% confidence interval 5.289-9.185)]. The presence of a delirium protocol increased the chances for valid delirium assessment and, likely, evidence-based interventions. Conclusion: Wards/units that reported the presence of delirium management protocols had a higher probability of using validated delirium assessments tools to assess for delirium.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-9
Number of pages9
JournalAge and Ageing
Volume53
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2024

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