Title: Evidence-Based Practices for the Identification, Screening, and Prevention of Acute Delirium in the Hospitalized Elderly: An Overview of Systematic Reviews
Abstract: This paper presents an overview of systematic reviews related to the identification and prevention of acute delirium in the hospitalized elderly. The need to build an evidence base in these areas is heightened by reports that delirium is associated with high rates of readmission, and increases in mortality, length of stay, and cost. We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, Academic Search Premiere, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) and the Joanna Briggs Institute Library of Systematic Reviews. The search strategy was designed to find systematic reviews, a form of secondary research that synthesizes findings from primary studies in an attempt to identify best practice. A total of 13 systematic reviews were retrieved. Of these, seven were focused on risk factors, three on screening, and three on prevention strategies. Recommendations related to best practice for the identification, screening and prevention of delirium in hospitalized patients over 65 years are provided.