Analgesic and psychoactive medications and the risk of falls in relation to delirium in single-bed rooms compared to multiple-bed rooms in geriatric inpatients.

Background: Previously, we demonstrated a substantial reduction of delirium incidence among geriatric patients after relocating from old hospital buildings with multiple-bed rooms to a new hospital with single-bed rooms.

Aims: To investigate whether (1) the reduced incidence of delirium in single-bed rooms was associated with a simultaneous change in medication use, (2) the relocation had affected the incidence of falls, (3) the use of analgesics and psychoactive medications was associated with the risk of delirium and falls.

Methods: We included 461 admissions to the old wards and 553 admissions to the new wards.

Single-bed rooms in a geriatric ward prevent delirium in older patients.

Background: Few studies have investigated treatment environment risk factors for delirium in geriatric patients. In March 2017, a geriatric department was moved from old hospital buildings with multiple-bed rooms (old wards) to a new hospital with single-bed rooms (new wards), with no changes regarding uptake area, staff and admission criteria.

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of delirium among patients in single-bed rooms compared with multiple-bed rooms.