Preventing delirium in older people.

Background: Delirium can have serious consequences, including increased hospitalisation and risk of death, and worsening dementia.

Aim: To explore the feasibility of preventing delirium in care homes for older people.

Method: An enhanced educational package targeting care home staff was developed.

Results: Staff were not confident in recognising, preventing or managing delirium before the intervention. After it, however, they showed a greater awareness: the total number of episodes of delirium in residents' records increased; the number of prescriptions fell; and the proportion of residents who had had a cognitive test in the previous six months rose.

Conclusion: Further research is needed to establish the project's efficacy and cost effectiveness.