Delirium: Are We Doing Enough?

Delirium manifests as an acute change in mental status, inattention, disorganized thinking, altered cognition, and perception that fluctuates in nature.1-4 Patients may present with hypoactive, hyperactive, or mixed delirium symptoms. Delirium occurs most commonly in adult patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) and has been shown to result in prolonged ICU and hospital length of stay, extended duration of mechanical ventilation support needs, increased morbidity and mortality, worsened cognitive impairment at discharge, and increased health care costs.
Source: Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing - Category: Nursing Authors: Tags: Critical Care Connection Source Type: research