National rollout and evaluation of the Dementia Care in Hospitals Program. Report prepared for the Commonwealth Department of Health August 2017.

Abstract

Forty percent of hospital patients over 65 have Cognitive Impairment. These patients have a threefold risk for Hospital-Acquired Complications; urinary tract infection, pneumonia, pressure Injury, or delirium. Ballarat Health Services in partnership with Alzheimer’s Australia and consumers developed the DCHP program that reduces harm using a validated screening tool >65 yrs., nine key communication strategies for all who engage with the patient, and a bedside Cognitive Impairment Identifier to alert staff as to their responsibilities to the patient.