Delirium Rounds: Emergency General Surgery Patients

While participating in the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison Improvement Surgical Care and Recovery Quality and Safety Program, delirium was made a priority by the Emergency General Surgery (EGS) service. The Plan-Do-Check-Act method was utilized in this quality improvement project. Patients greater than 65 years of age on the EGS service were included. A multi-disciplinary team of health care professionals attended, and documentation included daily rounding questions based on the 4M Model. Rounding began in January 2022 and the priorities included patient assessment, medication optimization, environmental/sensory, and cognitive stimulation. Developed patient care communication and education to units. Met with the multi-disciplinary team for feedback and analyzed efficiency of the rounds. Results included 184 patients who met criteria for rounding and 141 patients were rounded on. Continuation of delirium rounds improved medication optimization resulting in decrease in changes during rounds.