Utilization of Low Dose Depakote for the Treatment of Delirium in Hospitalized Adults: A Retrospective Analysis of Depakote Treatment Protocol
Abstract
Objective: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a low-dose Depakote protocol for the treat
ment of delirium in hospitalized adult patients.Methods: Participants were selected through a retrospective chart review for 24 months pre- and post- intervention. Demographic variables were compared using univariate statistics. The primary outcome was patient’s length of stay (LOS), compared using a Mann-Whitney-U test. The three other outcomes of antipsychotic administration, benzodiazepine administration, and incidence of injury were measured using separate Fisher’s exact tests. Mann Whitney-U tests were conducted to compare antipsychotic and benzodiazepine dose administration using haloperidol and lorazepam equivalents. Incidence and severity of adverse effects were analyzed using descriptive statistics for patients administered the Depakote protocol. IBM SPSS version 27 was used to conduct the statistical analysis with αset to .05. Results: The retrospective analysis evaluated 102 patient records. There were no significant differences in age, sex, or admission diagnosis classification. The hospital length of stay showed no statistically significant difference between-groups (median non-Depakote 7.5, median Depakote 7.0, z= -.188, p= .881). However, there was a difference in antipsychotic medication usage between two groups. Antipsychotic use was measured in haloperidol equivalents, while benzodiazepine use was measured in lorazepam equivalents. Antipsychotic utilization decreased significantly from 92.3% (non-Depakote group) to 42% (Depakote group) (p<.001). Similarly, benzodiazepine utilization also decreased significantly from 57.7% (non-Depakote group) to 6% (Depakote group) (p<.001). Median total antipsychotic dosage also decreased significantly from 14.5mg (non-Depakote group)
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