Abstract

Background: Delirium is a major complication in hospitalized older persons that could result in death, cognitive decline, increased length of stay and hospital cost. In most cases, delirium can be prevented from occurring if the risk factors are identified in time. HELP is a delirium prevention program targeted at reducing the rate of delirium in hospitalized elder patients.

Objective: To determine the effect of hospital elder life program (HELP) as an intervention in the incidences of delirium among elderly patients in the acute hospital.

Methods: A systematic review of HELP studies of Cochrane library, Cochrane handbook of systematic reviews, PsycINFO, PubMed, CINAHL, Medline, Communication Search, Google Scholar, and Embase using the step to step guideline of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions, PRISMA and controlled phrase/keywords combinations.

Result: Of the 6 included studies 5 primary outcome were on the effectiveness of HELP in the reduction of delirium rates in the acute hospital, 3 of which were on post-operative delirium. 1 had the effectiveness in the reduction of delirium rates as a secondary outcome. Secondary outcomes in this SR were the effect of HELP on LOS and cost. One of the studies had an EBL checklist score of 70.8%. 5 of the included studies showed that HELP is effective in the reduction of delirium incidences in the acute hospital. However, one study had no result reported.

Conclusion: Implementing hospital elder life program in the acute hospital could be effective in reducing delirium rates thereby reducing LOS and cost.

Keywords: Population; Malnutrition