Dataset Information

A Qualitative Study of Emergency Department Delirium Prevention Initiatives.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Delirium is a serious but preventable syndrome of acute brain failure. It affects 15% of patients presenting to emergency care and up to half of hospitalized patients. The emergency department (ED) often represents the entry point for hospital care for older adults and as such is an important site for delirium prevention.

Objective

We sought to characterize delirium prevention initiatives in EDs in the United States and Canada.

Methods

We conducted qualitative interviews with 16 ED administrators representing 14 EDs with delirium prevention initiatives. We used a combined deductive-inductive approach to code responses about involved staff, target patient population, and delirium prevention activities.