Effectiveness of the In-Hospital Information Technology System-Based Delirium Management Intervention Program in Medically Hospitalized Patients with Dementia: A Retrospective Case-Control Study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to study the effectiveness of an information technology (IT) system-based delirium management intervention program for prevention and earlier detection of delirium in medically hospitalized patients with dementia.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

This was a retrospective case-control study. The study population consisted of patients aged 50-100 years who were diagnosed with dementia and hospitalized in the general wards of neurology, psychiatry, or geriatrics. The intervention group included 101 patients receiving a delirium management protocol comprising IT-supported delirium detection, multicomponent prevention, and treatment protocols. A total of 101 controls matched for age, gender, and severity of dementia in the intervention group were selected.

RESULTS

The intervention group showed a significantly lower delirium incidence (34% versus 18%, p=0.010) and earlier detection of delirium after hospitalization (3.2 versus 2.2 days, p=0.035). Factors associated with the presence of delirium in hospitalized patients with dementia were receiving delirium management protocol (OR=0.37, 95% CI=0.16-0.83, p=0.019) and restraints during hospitalization (OR=14.4, 95% CI=5.81-39.1, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The in-hospital IT system-based delirium management intervention program is associated with reduced delirium incidence and earlier delirium detection after hospitalization. Appropriate delirium management and avoiding unnecessary restraints are important for hospitalized patients with dementia.