Developing a dementia inclusive hospital environment using an Integrated Care Pathway design: research protocol

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Healthcare Management
• Patient Care

Background:

• Dementia patients constitute 25% of hospital beds, yet their cognitive needs are often overlooked.
• While some nations have dementia plans, South European countries like Spain are in early stages.
• Existing hospital environments and processes frequently fail to accommodate the specific needs of individuals with dementia and their caregivers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design an Integrated Care Pathway (ICP) for adapting hospital settings and processes to the needs of people with dementia and their caregivers.
• To enhance patient confidence, increase satisfaction, and protect individuals with dementia from potential harm within hospital environments.
• To provide a framework for developing dementia interventions in resource-limited settings where national dementia plans are nascent.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing the King's Fund Dementia Tool for hospital environment assessment and continuous improvement.
• Involving people with dementia, families, caregivers, and healthcare staff in evaluating hospital settings.
• Adopting a conceptual framework based on person-centred care, prudent healthcare, and compassionate care.

Main Results:

• The study is designed to provide crucial information on effectively implementing dementia interventions in hospitals.
• It will offer guidance on adapting hospital environments and processes based on patient and caregiver feedback.
• The research protocol will yield insights into successful dementia care pathway design within resource constraints.

Conclusions:

• Developing an Integrated Care Pathway is essential for optimizing hospital care for dementia patients.
• A collaborative, person-centred approach is key to improving the hospital experience for individuals with dementia.
• This study will inform the design of dementia interventions in countries with developing national dementia plans.