A randomized controlled trial of a behavior advisory service for hospitalized older patients with confusion.

Objective: To determine whether individualized advice on non-pharmacological strategies for hospitalized older patients with confusion and behavioral problems can improve levels of agitation and reduce the use of psychotropic medication.

Method: Pragmatic randomized controlled trial in two metropolitan teaching hospitals in South Australia. Seventy-one older patients with confusion and a behavioral disturbance were randomly allocated to receive either an assessment and ongoing individualized advice from an extended practice nurse on non-pharmacological strategies or usual care.