Image: Cognition Nurse Consultant Renae Nicol, Associate Professor Chris Moran and Nurse Unit Manager Felicity Leavold.
Across Australia and New Zealand, between 30-50 per cent of people admitted to hospital have some form of cognitive impairment. At Peninsula Health, 15-20 per cent of patients who are admitted have some form of dementia.
For a number of reasons, people with memory and thinking problems are more likely to be admitted to hospital than the wider population. Often, these patients come to hospital in a confused state, making it hard for clinical staff to identify their needs and preferences, especially in an unknown environment — causing further confusion.
Peninsula Health geriatrician Associate Professor Chris Moran is currently undertaking a study investigating how to best develop individualised toolkits people with dementia can take to hospital in order to feel more comfortable and relaxed.
“Similar to when someone is pregnant, they know they’ll need to come into hospital in the future,” explains Associate Professor Moran.
“When these patients come into hospital, they’re likely to be in a hurry so they will often have a hospital bag packed and ready to go for when that time comes. This bag might contain important information such as care plans, but it will also include comfort possessions, such as photographs, a favourite pillow or a docking station for music.”
Associate Professor Moran is hoping to develop a similar ‘toolkit’ for patients with dementia to have on-hand if they needed to be admitted to hospital. “We want to create a toolkit for people with dementia that includes objects and information that will make their stay in hospital as safe, pleasant and stress-free as possible,” he says.
Associate Professor Moran leads a team of researchers at Frankston Hospital who work closely with clients who have dementia, as well as their carers, family members and support staff.
“By working with a range of stakeholders, we’re aiming to create a toolkit that will provide hospital staff with the information and resources to quickly and effectively identify the patients’ needs from the beginning, making it easier for staff, patients and their families,” explains Associate Professor Moran.
“With this information, we can help make the transition to hospital as seamless as possible.”
“For example, a patient might be used to receiving a phone call each night from their son or daughter. By having this information when the patient is admitted to hospital, we can put plans in place to ensure it happens. This helps create a feeling of safety for the patient and prevents unnecessary emotional distress,” he adds.
“Maybe the patient gets up multiple times a night to use the bathroom, and that’s their routine. If we know this from the beginning, we could place that patient’s bed close to the bathroom and ensure the pathway was adequately lit to make the route easier.”
Associate Professor Moran and his team are currently inviting people with dementia and their families to take part in the study, with hopes that the findings will improve patient care and make it easier for the hospital staff providing that care.
“If we’re proactive rather than reactive, we can make the lives of both our patients and staff a bit easier and a lot more enjoyable. It comes down to knowing the individual’s patterns and routines, enabling staff to provide patient-centred care on admission,” says Associate Professor Moran.
“If successful, this study has the potential to create better outcomes for patients with cognitive impairment who are admitted to hospital.”