This web page complements an oral presentation delivered at the Medicine, Ageing and Nutrition conference in Adelaide (September 2007) (abstract).

The quality assurance project aimed to improve the acute care of older people admitted to a general medical ward at Royal Perth Hospital.

The emphasis was on the prevention, assessment and management of delirium.

We devised and implemented a local system for identifying and addressing modifiable risk factors for delirium. Guidance for screening, diagnosing and managing delirium was provided. An education program was developed.

The project was of one year duration and resulted in a number of resources which may be of use to other health professionals looking to implement the Clinical Practice Guidelines recently developed by the Clinical Epidemiology and Health Service Evaluation Unit, Melbourne Health.

These resources are available for download and can be referenced - Health Department of WA and Royal Perth Hospital 2007, A MAP of Delirium Project, Perth Western Australia (unpublished). The main guidelines are comprehensive, but important key documents are highlighted for separate download.

For feedback or further information, contact ngwaldron@gmail.com.

Full edition Quick guide Clinical pathway - overview of inpatient management of cognition Nursing pathway/ strategies / nursing care plan Acute Pharmacological Management Guidelines Implementation Guideline Proposed Orange box Powerpoint Presentation Handout Delirium Guidelines Implementation Guidelines National Institute of Clinical Studies Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Delirium in Older People Green Box for falls prevention (WA Health Department)

Dr Nicholas Waldron
Advanced Trainee in Geriatric Medicine
Royal Perth Hospital