Patients in hospital with conditions such as dementia or delirium (conditions most commonly associated with cognitive impairment) are at much greater risk of adverse events and preventable complications, such as falls, pressure injuries, accelerated functional decline, longer lengths of stay, premature entry to residential care and even death. Despite being a common condition among hospital patients, cognitive impairment is often misdiagnosed or undetected in hospital.
Nationally, 20% of hospital patients aged over 70 have dementia and 10% of patients in this age group have delirium on admission to hospital, and patients with dementia are two times more likely to experience falls, pressure injuries or infections in hospital.
The Caring for Cognitive Impairment campaign highlights the fact that harm can be minimised if cognitive impairment is identified early and steps are taken to reduce the associated risks. It encourages everyone working in hospitals, people in the community and consumers to get involved and make a difference.
Chair of the Commission’s Cognitive Impairment Advisory Group, Professor Sue Kurrle said "This campaign will lead to safety and quality improvements in caring for hospital patients with cognitive impairment across our health system. It will inform health professionals about what they can do to help achieve this and support them in playing a committed role."
"If cognitive impairment is identified and the right steps are taken early, we can minimise harm – which means health professionals, consumers and health services can all play a vital role."
The Commission’s Board Chair, Professor Villis Marshall AC, said: "Cognitive impairment impedes communication, attention, memory, thinking and problem solving and so it can cause great distress for patients and their loved ones and carers. We want to harness and share the great work being done around Australia to provide the best care for patients in hospital with cognitive impairment.
"The campaign provides a significant opportunity to share information about important and useful strategies already underway, knowledge and experience which will contribute to providing high quality care for patients with cognitive impairment."
Involvement in the campaign will also help health services to prepare for the requirements of Version 2 of the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards, which includes specific items relating to cognitive impairment in recognition of its importance as a safety and quality issue in Australia; and the Delirium Clinical Care Standard which is being finalised by the Commission.