DAVINCI Memory problems and visual identification systems in hospital
Research type
Research Study
Full title
DAVINCI: How visual identification systems for people with cognitive impairment are used in hospital and their acceptability to patients and carers.
IRAS ID
279117
Contact name
Carolyn Tarrant
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leicester
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 26 days
Research summary
The number of patients in English hospitals with dementia is growing. Research has shown that these patients may experience poor care, such as not eating and drinking well, poor mobility and falls. Patients with dementia also struggle in these noisy and busy environments. Some hospitals use symbols such as a butterfly or flower to identify patients with dementia, so that staff are aware of their additional needs. We don’t yet know how these symbols are used in practice and what the consequences are of their use. We will use observations in four acute hospitals to explore how these symbols are used in practice and whether and how they are combined with any other types of staff support. We intend to find out when and why they are used. We will identify and follow one patient with dementia from each hospital to describe how care is delivered. This will help build a picture of how symbols affect the care\ngiven by staff on a daily basis. We will also interview up to 20 patients, relatives or carers, who use support groups such as dementia café’s, to find out what they think of these symbols and their experiences of hospital care. Overall this will help us to understand if and how symbols improve the quality of care for patients with dementia and how best to support staff to deliver that care.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/YH/0175
Date of REC Opinion
28 Jul 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion