Quality indicators for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in acute care: a scoping review

Abstract

Objectives: This scoping review presents an overview of quality indicators (QIs) available for the monitoring of best practices in the assessment and management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in hospitalized older adults.

Method: The literature study followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews. A conventional database search (Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane, CINAHL, and Web of Science) was conducted in January 2024, and a grey literature search in February 2024. Articles published from 2013 onward were included if they reported potential QIs for monitoring best practices with regards to BPSD, or similar manifestations in the context of delirium, in hospitalized older adults.

Results: The review included 25 publications, reporting a total of 88 potential QIs: 23 structural indicators, 38 process indicators, and 27 outcome indicators. The QIs retrieved cover elements pertaining to the screening and reporting, assessment, management, impacts, hospitalization outcomes, and resources invested for BPSD in acute care.

Conclusion: While this study generated an exhaustive list of QIs for the monitoring of best practices in the assessment and management of BPSD in hospitalized older adults, further research is needed to optimally operationalize these indicators before they can be successfully implemented in acute care settings.

Trial registration: Protocol was registered on the Open Science Framework platform on December 22, 2023. (https://osf.io/r4hwz/).

Keywords: Acute care; behavioural and psychological symptoms in dementia; dementia; health care quality; older adults; quality indicators.