Journal
BEST PRACTICE & RESEARCH-CLINICAL ANAESTHESIOLOGY
Volume 26, Issue 3, Pages 367-383Publisher
ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1016/j.bpa.2012.07.002
Keywords
delirium; dementia; cognition; attention; detection; surgery
Categories
Funding
- Research into Ageing
- British Geriatrics Society
- Medical Research Council
- Health Research Board
- BBSRC
- EPSRC
- ESRC
- HRB
- MRC
- MRC [G0700704] Funding Source: UKRI
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Delirium affects many patients in hospital settings but is underdetected and associated with a range of adverse health-care outcomes, including institutionalisation and elevated mortality. Detection is essential because it leads to identification and management of precipitants and assessment and management of distress caused by hallucinations and delusions. Moreover, delirium may affect communication and, thus, assessment of pain. This is important because inadequate analgesia may cause agitation and prolong the delirium. Here, we provide an overview of the main features of delirium. Informal and formal methods of assessment of the features are covered. We describe some of the main rating scales used in delirium screening and severity grading. Incorporating formal and systematic screening and assessment into everyday clinical practice can substantially improve delirium diagnosis and treatment. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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