Sensory Aids for Delirium
(SHIELD Trial)

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen byNicholas S Reed, Au.D., Ph.D.

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Johns Hopkins University

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this observational study is to learn about sensory loss in hospital patients with delirium. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Are hearing and vision loss related to increased risk of having delirium? * Do hearing and vision loss contribute to more severe delirium? * Do sensory loss and/or delirium affect patient satisfaction with hospital care? Participants will be asked to: * answer delirium screening questions, * undergo hearing \& vision screenings, and * complete questionnaires about the hospital stay. The second part of this study is a clinical trial. Researchers will compare different hospital units to see if changing communication affects the number of patients with delirium. The main questions it aims to answer are: • Does sharing information about communication and/or providing hearing devices change the number of hospital patients with delirium? Participants in the study will be asked to complete delirium screenings and answer questions about their hearing and communication.

Eligibility Criteria

This study is for English-speaking patients who can talk and are staying in certain units at Johns Hopkins Bayview. It's not for those who don't speak, can't communicate in English, or are under specific isolation precautions due to infection risks.

Inclusion Criteria

Inpatient on Johns Hopkins Bayview Medicine A, Medicine B, or Carol Ball unit

Communicates using speech and language

Able to converse in English

Exclusion Criteria

Nonverbal

I cannot communicate in English.

Currently under airborne or droplet isolation precautions

Treatment Details

Interventions

Communication Signage (Behavioral Intervention)
Communication Signage & Amplifier Use (Behavioral Intervention)

Trial OverviewThe study observes if hearing and vision loss relate to delirium risk and severity, affecting patient satisfaction. A trial part compares hospital units with different communication methods to see if this reduces delirium cases.

Participant Groups

4Treatment groups

Active Control

Group I: Delirium & Sensory LossActive Control1 Intervention

The observational portion of the study, during which participants are screened for delirium. Consented individuals also complete bedside hearing and vision screenings, and provide information regarding care on patient satisfaction questionnaires.

Group II: Baseline Delirium PrevalenceActive Control1 Intervention

This arm of the interventional portion of the study will be used as baseline comparison data to determine whether implementation of the intervention impacted delirium outcomes. Baseline data collection will be collected for each of the units prior to implementation of the intervention.

Group III: Communication SignageActive Control1 Intervention

For patients who report a little or moderate trouble hearing following the implementation of the intervention, a pink sign will be posted to prompt use of effective communication strategies by nursing staff.

Group IV: AmplifierActive Control2 Interventions

For patients who report a lot of trouble hearing following the implementation of the intervention, a blue sign will be posted to prompt nursing staff to remind patient to make use of amplifier provided as part of the study.