Assessing the Effects of Robotic Pets on Patients With Dementia in the Acute Care Hospital Setting

Assess how the use of the Joy for All™ companion pet, as compared to standard care, impacts the development or progression of acute delirium in patients with dementia in an acute care setting.

Delirium, measured by the Nursing Delirium Screening (Nu-DESC) scale, will be compared between intervention group and control group. The NUDESC score ranges from 0-10.

Time frame: Measured at shift change (12 hours intervals), or any time a change in mental status is observed. This will be assessed from the time the "robotic pet order" is placed until discharge up to 60 days.

The use of intravenous psychotropic medications.

The use of intravenous psychotropic medications (i.e. Haldol, Ativan, etc.) in patients with dementia will be compared between groups.

Time frame: Recorded any time intravenous psychotropic medication is administered starting from the time the "robotic pet order" is placed until patient is discharge up to 60 days.

Hospital length of stay.

Hospital length of stay will be evaluated between the intervention group and the control group.

Time frame: Length of stay is measured from time of admission to time of discharge up to 60 days.

The use of restraints.

The use of restraints will be compared intervention group and control group.

Time frame: Use of restraints will be recorded starting from the time the "robotic pet order" is placed until patient is discharged up to 60 days.

Occurrence of falls.

The number of falls patients have during their hospital stay will be compared between the intervention group and control group.

Time frame: Any fall that occurs during an enrolled patient's hospital stay will be recorded starting from the time the "robotic pet order" is placed until patient is discharged up to 60 days.

"Code Greys"

The number of "Code Greys" called will be recorded and compared between groups.

Time frame: During the length of the patient's hospitalization, any "Code Grey" will be recorded at time of occurrence starting from the time the "robotic pet order" is placed until patient is discharged up to 60 days.

Intravenous catheter dislodgement occurrences.

Patient's will be monitored for intravenous catheter dislodgements.

Time frame: All enrolled patients will have any intravenous catheter dislodgment recorded at time of occurrence. This will be recorded starting from the time the "robotic pet order" is placed until patient is discharged, up to 60 days.

Delirium order set.

Any worsening of condition, evidence of delirium, or delirium order set will be monitored and recorded.

Time frame: Delirium and worsening of condition will be recorded at time of observation during hospitalization stay up to 60 days.

Use of patient safety attendants (order and length of use)

The group receiving the Joy for All companion pet use of patient safety attendants and/or use of cameras will be compared to the controls group use of patient safety attendants and/or cameras. Number of uses and time of use will be recorded.

Time frame: Patient safety attendant use and camera use will be recorded for use and length of time for each patient enrolled in the study starting from the time the "robotic pet order" is placed until patient is discharged up to 60 days.

Blood Pressure

Assess how the use of the Joy for All™ companion pet, as compared to standard care, impacts systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with mild-to-moderate dementia in an acute care setting.

Time frame: Blood pressure measurements will be collected and monitored during the time the patient is admitted following standard of care procedure, from the time the "robotic pet order", and continue until patient is discharge, up to 60 days.

Heart Rate

Assess how the use of the Joy for All™ companion pet, as compared to standard care, impacts heart rates in patients with mild-to-moderate dementia in an acute care setting

Time frame: Heart rate measurements will be collected and monitored during the time the patient is admitted following standard of care procedure, from the time the "robotic pet order" is placed, and continue until patient is discharge, up to 60 days.

Pain Signs

Assess how the use of the Joy for All™ companion pet, as compared to standard care, impacts pain signs in patients with mild-to-moderate dementia in an acute care setting, using a 0-10 Likert scale for pain assessment.

Time frame: Signs of pain will be collected and monitored during the time the patient is admitted following standard of care procedure, from the time the "robotic pet order" is placed, and continue until patient is discharge, up to 60 days.