Denise Rhew
As we, all know that the fast growing population in the United States is the older adult population aged 65 years or older. Approximately 37% of older emergency department patients present with Cognitive impairment (most common Dementia/Delirium). Patients 65 years and older have the highest ED visits which result in a hospital admission. Every 33 seconds someone develops Dementia. Delirium is missed anywhere from 57% to 83% of time in the ED by providers because we do not screen for it! The problem is that the ED is a fast-paced environment and patients present with vague chief complaints, and often-altered mental status. It is imperative that nurses have the screening tools available to initiate individualize treatment plan, develop patient centered discharge, and disposition planning. Nurses have the ability and the responsibility to advocate for appropriate and safe care for all patients that enter into the hospital doors. Dementia versus delirium are often terms that often used interchangeably because they have similar symptoms. The way for nurses to ensure they can be advocates for their patients is to walk in their shoes and experience what they are going through. Biography: Dr. Denise Rhew is a Clinical Nurse Specialist for five emergency departments where she collaborates with physicians, ED leadership, and staff to provide clinical expertise to facilitate integration of evidence-based practice clinical standards, policies/procedures, guidelines, documentation, and quality improvement. In 2015, North Carolina Nurses Association selected her as the Practice Nurse and the Nurse of Distinction for the Triad in 2017. In 2017, she was selected as the Clinical Nurse Specialist of the year for the National Emergency Nurses Association. Dr. Denise Rhew’s hopes is that she has encourage others to be passionate about learning, caring for others, and to have the desire to improving the compassionate nursing care provided to those who have entrusted their lives to nursing!
