Improving Dementia Care Practices: Implementation of an Innovative Interprofessional Delirium Prevention Program for Hospitalized Older Adults

Delirium, an acute decline in cognition and attention, is a common and severe problem for hospitalized older adults, with incidence rates ranging from 11% to 56%, and 1.5 to 4.0‐fold increased risk of death. Delirium in older adults with preexisting Dementia is prevalent. Delirium may worsen the cognitive decline, prognosis, and long‐term outcomes of dementia. Despite its multifaceted nature, delirium is preventable in 30% to 40% of cases. A California academic community hospital experienced a higher incidence of delirium (30% to 40%) in adult non‐critical care units as compared to delirium rates (11% to 29%) in similar hospital settings.