The effect of cognitive impairment on the accuracy of the presenting complaint and discharge instruction comprehension in older emergency department patients.

Study Objective: We seek to determine how delirium and dementia affect the accuracy of the presenting illness and discharge instruction comprehension in older emergency department (ED) patients.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at an academic ED from May 2008 to July 2008 and included non-nursing home patients aged 65 years and older. Two open-ended interviews were performed to assess patients' ability to accurately provide their presenting illness and comprehension of their ED discharge instructions.