Objective: (1) To describe the planning which led to the establishment of a novel Delirium Service in Christchurch, New Zealand, as one strand of a broader integrated elder care project. (2) To describe the aims and structure of the Service; the clinical and educational activities undertaken; and how the locus has evolved from the secondary care setting to later involve primary care and residential care. (3) Discuss options for future service development and research.
Design: Delirium affects about 30% of elderly hospitalized patients (higher in certain subgroups) and leads to an increased mortality rate as well as a high rate of secondary morbidity. Hospital stay may be prolonged and elderly patients are often slow to recover and/or may fail to return to their previous level of function. The point prevalence of delirium among elderly people residing in residential care is 4 to 6%. There is ample research data pointing toward greatly increased hospital and community treatment/care costs attributable to delirium. Thus any program that successfully prevents or ameliorates delirium is likely to have a positive clinical and financial impact. There is growing evidence-based support for the proposition that good medical and nursing care can prevent some incident cases, reduce the severity of the condition and prevent secondary health problems. The delirium service aims to achieve this by promoting and carrying out best clinical practice.
Materials and Methods: Copies of the service’s educational resource materials on delirium will be made available.
Results: The educational and clinical activities of the Service over the first two years will be described.
Conclusion: This model of service delivery may be a useful means of improving quality of care for delirium in elderly patients.
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