NEJM Perspective: Joining Forces against Delirium — From Organ-System Care to Whole-Human Care
New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) has published a Perspective, "Joining Forces against Delirium — From Organ-System Care to Whole-Human Care."
The paper, by Sharon K. Inouye, M.D., M.P.H., describes finding her father in hospital with delirium following a collapse and emergency surgery. A number of specialty teams were overseeing his care.
"Delirium is a common, serious, and often preventable condition, recognized as the leading complication of hospitalization for older people...Despite its importance, delirium remains unrecognized by clinicians in two thirds of cases." Models to address delirium exist, such as the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP), implemented by an interdisciplinary team. The paper also describes the need for systemwide changes, including payment incentives, for widespread implementation of delirium prevention programs.
To read the article, click here.
To learn more about the HELP model, click here.
To learn more about JAHF's past support of HELP, click here.
