Evaluating delirium outcomes among older adults in the surgical intensive care unit

Delirium is an acute brain dysfunction characterized by disturbances in attention, awareness and cognition not explained by a pre-existing neurocognitive disorder.1 Delirium is common for hospitalized older adult patients ( ≥ 65 years) in the intensive care unit (ICU) due to the severity of their illnesses, the number of comorbidities and advanced age.1–3 Delirium occurs in approximately 50% of all older hospitalized adults2 and has been reported to occur in 73% of adults admitted to surgical intensive care unit (S ICUs).
Source: Heart and Lung - Category: Intensive Care Authors: Source Type: research