Abstract
Researchers at the University of Central Florida, in conjunction with a physician, have created a new tool called the Dementia and Delirium Analysis Research Tool, which can conveniently and efficiently collect and analyze patient data with minimal health care provider time and involvement. This assessment improves the accuracy of delirium and dementia diagnoses as well as patient outcomes, reduces the need for expensive, repetitive testing, and can be repeated serially to document disease progression.
Technical DetailsThrough a series of questions, the Dementia and Delirium Analysis Research Tool was designed to assess a patient's mental state using the corresponding responses as a means of identification. The questionnaire consists of two main sections. The first section has a group of questions regarding the demographic information of the caretaker or caregiver and of the patient. The second section assesses the physical and mental health of the patient (e.g., questions about mood, lethargy, and sleepiness). This second section also screens for symptoms of mild dementia by asking the patient to solve math problems and to answer common knowledge questions such as "Who is the current President of the United States?"
Benefit
Improves accuracy of diagnoses and patient outcomesCost-efficientEasy and convenient to useCan be used successively to track disease progressionMarket Application
Clinical settingsEmergency roomsDoctor's officesProgressive assisted living facilitiesCaretakers and caregivers of patients with delirium and dementia
Brochure
