Researchers work to better measure delirium severity in older patients

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In a study published in the journal Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorder, researchers reported on their effort to improve and validate tools used to assess the severity of a condition called delirium, an acute confusional state often experienced by older hospitalized patients. The aim was to more accurately define methods for detecting and measuring delirium symptom severity, which could in turn lead to improved prevention and treatment for patients at risk. Sharon K. Inouye, M.D., M.P.H., Director of the Aging Brain Center at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research at Hebrew SeniorLife, was principal investigator. Lead author was Sarinnapha M. Vasunilashorn, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School (HMS) and the Division of General Medicine at Beth Israel…

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