Sandeep R. Pagali, M.D., M.P.H.

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SUMMARY

Sandeep R. Pagali, M.D., M.P.H., is a geriatrician and hospitalist. He is committed to improving care for older adults in the hospital. His research interest is in predicting the risk of hospitalization for older adults with delirium. He focuses on identifying what resources are needed and how they can be best applied to prevent and treat occurrences of delirium. He also studies the role and effectiveness of approaches other than medication in cognitive decline and dementia-related behaviors. Dr. Pagali is very enthusiastic in research related to polypharmacy, treatment with multiple drugs. He is focused on reducing the number of drugs patients are taking. Dr. Pagali also studies ways to improve care transitions for the older adults with an emphasis on care delivery outside of the hospital.

Focus areas

• Delirium. Dr. Pagali developed the Mayo Delirium Prediction (MDP) tool, an automated electronic delirium risk prediction tool for hospitalized older adults. This is being integrated into electronic health records for use by physicians and other clinicians. He further plans to study and analyze the role and impact of prevention strategies for each risk prediction category.
• Cognitive impairment and dementia. Dr. Pagali studies the role of nondrug treatments, including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). He is researching how these treatments can be effective in managing dementia-related agitation and reducing the rate of cognitive decline.
• Polypharmacy and deprescribing. Dr. Pagali identifies opportunities to avoid prescribing too many drugs by focusing on patient priorities. His research interest includes avoiding unnecessary use of antipsychotics, discussing the risks versus benefits of anticoagulation medications and tailoring medications to match patient goals.
• Care Transitions. Dr. Pagali analyses patient transfer data and safety outcomes associated with interhospital transfers in older adults. He uses this data to transform his practice by improving care for older adults outside the hospital and closer to home.

Significance to patient care

Dr. Pagali's research identifies opportunities to improve care of older adults in the hospital, especially in people with cognitive impairment and dementia who are at risk of delirium. His aim is to avoid potentially inappropriate medications for older adults. Dr. Pagali is also interested in improving transitions in hospital care and helping older adults get care as close to home as possible.

Professional highlights

• Associate research chair, Mayo Clinic Division of Hospital Internal Medicine, 2021-present.
• Recipient, Department of Medicine Laureate Award, 2022.
• Recipient, Mayo Clinic Innovation in Aging Award, 2019-2020.