Nursing Assistant Intervention to Prevent Delirium in Nursing Homes

"Patients will be seen by an intervention CNA at least once daily 7 days a week. The CNA will be English/Spanish bilingual and will provide intervention components guided by structured protocols and a daily visit form. A typical visit lasts 30 minutes and begins with an introduction and orientation activity followed by provision of water, a reminiscence activity or game, a physical exercise, and a snack and second cup of water. Patients may also receive a relaxation visit at night and given a warm drink, a hand or foot massage, and quiet music. Daily visits will last for the duration of the illness and 7 days following the illness end. Illness end is defined as the last day of illness treatment (e.g., last day of antibiotics) or monitoring (e.g., last day on nursing 24-hour report). During weekly intervention staff meetings patients will be discussed with the primary medical and nursing team. The planned intervention group sample size results in a case load of 4-8 patients."

Usual care plus sham visits by CNA