Can using a communication tool within the Emergency Department enhance verbal interactions between nurses and patients with moderate cognitive impairment related to dementia?

Dementia is a decline in mental ability, (Bickley 2007, Breitung 2004, Dementia UK 2012, Griffiths & Rooney 2004 and The Alzheimer’s Association UK 2012), and cognitive impairment related to dementia can take many forms (Baker 2011, DOH2009 and Kitwood 2007). This project looks at how cognitive impairment can impact on verbal communication between patients that have dementia and the nurses looking after them. The project aims to identify if using a communication tool can enhance these verbal interactions and if any in particular can be identified as suitable for use within the Emergency Department (ED). A literature search was done as part of an evidence based project, applying the principles of evidence based practice through identification, selection and critical appraisal of the evidence available to answer the question posed.
The conclusions that have been drawn are that firstly; valid and tested communication tools do exist, but none have been tested thoroughly enough to immediately apply to clinical practice specifically within the ED. Secondly; validation techniques as described in works by Feil (2005) can be implemented as a general means of improving communication outcomes for patients with dementia, although full training would be required in order to disseminate the techniques across all nursing staff within EDs.