AHRQ Studies Validate Use of Screening Tool To Provide More Efficient Delirium Diagnosis

A screening tool makes delirium detection faster and easier in older hospitalized patients and home hospice patients, according to two new AHRQ-funded studies. Delirium, while challenging to diagnose, is often reversible; improving delirium recognition and treatment can improve patient outcomes and quality of life, according to study authors. As an alternative to neurocognitive interviews conducted by staff, the Delirium Observation Screening scale allowed faster identification of delirium. One study tested the tool in hospitalized patients ages 65 and older; the other tested the tool’s ability to identify delirium in home hospice patients. In both settings, the tool was an accurate way to screen for delirium in older and vulnerable populations. Read the abstract of “Validation of the Delirium Observation Screening Scale in a Hospitalized Older Population,” which appeared in the July issue of the Journal of Hospital Medicine. Read the abstract of “Validity of the Delirium Observation Scale in Identifying Delirium in Home Hospice Patients,” which appeared online July 13 in the American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Medicine.

Validation of the delirium observation screening scale in a hospitalized older population. - PubMed - NCBI

2016 Jul;11(7):494-7. doi: 10.1002/jhm.2580. Epub 2016 Mar 11.

Validation of the delirium observation screening scale in a hospitalized older population.

Gavinski K1, Carnahan R2, Weckmann M1,3.

Author information

Abstract

Delirium is challenging to diagnose in older populations. It is often reversible, and when detected, treatment can improve patient outcomes.Delirium detection currently relies on trained staff to conduct neurocognitive interviews. The Delirium Observation Screening Scale (DOS) is a screen designed to allow faster, easier identification of delirium. In this validation study, conducted at an academic tertiary care center, we attempted to determine the accuracy of the DOS as a delirium screening tool in hospitalized patients over 64 years old. We compared DOS results to a validated delirium diagnostic tool, the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98. We also assess the user-friendliness of the DOS by nurses via electronic survey. In 101 assessments of 54 patients, the DOS had sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 91% for delirium. The DOS is an accurate and easy way to screen for delirium in older inpatients. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:494-497. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine.