On March 26, researchers from the Institute on Healthcare Systems (IHS) at Heller hosted over 60 researchers, patients, family caregivers, clinical teams and policy leaders online for the ENHANCE Study's 3rd Annual Stakeholder Meeting. Attendees from eight health systems in California, Utah, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., Maine and Massachusetts came together to celebrate the enrollment of over 1,200 patient-caregiver dyads in this study of delirium prevention.
The Heller team of researchers, led by Karen Donelan, Stuart H. Altman Chair in U.S. Health Policy and co-director of the Schneider Institutes for Health Policy and Research, includes Carie Michael, Senior Research Associate, and Bella Cameron, Research Assistant.
Delirium, a state of acute confusion lasting from hours to days,affects more than 2 million hospital patients each year—the vast majority of whom are older adults. Delirium is highly distressing to both patients and care partners and has been linked to linked long-term cognitive consequences, such as dementia. It also leads to increased health costs, as patients with delirium tend to have longer hospital stays and greater post-acute support needs. Fortunately, up to half of delirium cases are preventable through common-sense interventions, like ensuring that vulnerable patients stay hydrated, rested and engaged. To teach more people about delirium prevention, the Heller team recorded an information session with experts, patients and caregivers from ENHANCE this past year on the role of delirium prevention in reducing risks to hospitalized older adults.
"Brandeis is proud to bring the wisdom and experience of patients and family members to the clinical study team to partner with researchers and clinicians from Hebrew SeniorLife, Harvard Medical School and the University of Michigan," says Donelan. "We have a long tradition of research at Heller to improve the health and quality of life of older adults."
The study is funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). Visit https://enhancetrial.org/ to learn more about delirium diagnosis and prevention and ENHANCE Dual Principal Investigators Dr. Sharon Inouye and Dr. Philip Vlisides.