Applied Nursing Research
Volume 23, Issue 3 , Pages e21-e27, August 2010

Using PDAs to detect cognitive change in the hospitalized elderly patient

  • Margarete L. Zalon, PhD, RN

      Affiliations

    • Department of Nursing, University of Scranton, Scranton, PA 18510-4595, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +1 570 941 7655; fax: +1 570 941 7903.
    • ,
  • Sonia Sandhaus, MS, RNC

      Affiliations

    • Hospital Elder Life Program, Moses Taylor Hospital, Scranton, PA 18503-1798, USA
    • ,
  • Donna Valenti, RNC

      Affiliations

    • Hospital Elder Life Program, Moses Taylor Hospital, Scranton, PA 18503-1798, USA
    • ,
  • Ulyana Arzamasova, BS

      Affiliations

    • Hospital Elder Life Program, Moses Taylor Hospital, Scranton, PA 18503-1798, USA

Received 22 July 2009; received in revised form 17 October 2009; accepted 20 October 2009. published online 30 November 2009.

Abstract 

The Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) program is designed to prevent delirium and cognitive decline in the hospitalized elderly patient. Personal digital assistants (PDAs) were trialed in collecting assessment data for the HELP program. Data for a mental status assessment (Mini-Mental Status Examination), delirium assessment (Confusion Assessment Method), and a depression screen for 352 patients enrolled over a 4-month period were collected. Participants had a slight but significant increase in cognitive function. PDAs are a useful adjunct to care enabling the staff to monitor the cognitive status of hospitalized elderly patients and track program outcomes.

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PII: S0897-1897(09)00108-6

doi:10.1016/j.apnr.2009.10.002

Applied Nursing Research
Volume 23, Issue 3 , Pages e21-e27, August 2010

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