Safe and high-quality care for patients with cognitive impairment

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has released three resources to guide health service managers, clinicians and consumers in improving care of people with cognitive impairment in hospital.

These resources were developed in recognition that cognitive impairment (dementia and delirium) is common among older people admitted to hospital and patients with cognitive impairment are at greater risk of preventable complications, and adverse outcomes, including falls, pressure injuries, functional decline and mortality. They are more likely to stay in hospital longer, be re-admitted or enter residential care.

The resources follow a pathway, describing strategies that reflect evidence-based practice and existing models of care. In the resource for health service managers, the strategies are linked to the existing National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards.

The three resources are: 

• Action for health service managers
• Action  for clinicians
• Action for consumers

A better way to care: Safe and high-quality care for patients with cognitive impairment (dementia and delirium) in hospital. 2014