OVoiD delirium and improved outcomes in acute care. Introducing a model of care

Abstract

Objective: In this article three aspects of prevention/management will be available at a glance to nursing staff – the key personnel who manage this difficult area in aged care.

Setting: The acute hospital environment.

Primary argument: Delirium is a syndrome characterised by a sudden onset, over hours or days, impaired attention that fluctuates, together with altered consciousness and impaired cognition (ASGM 2005). Delirium is well reported to be already present for older people (10% ‑ 24%) (Inouye 1998) on admission to hospital and develops in many more (up to 61%) (Gustafson; Berggren; Brannstrom et al 1998). Research has reported a multifaceted approach to reduce and manage the incidence of delirium in acute care, but do acute care staff have access to a brief overview of the information they can refer to, to prevent a crisis? Upon review, many of the non‑pharmacological strategies to manage delirium are similar to those which prevent delirium.

Conclusion: Delirium is under recognised and often poorly managed. This paper suggests preventing and managing delirium is achievable through a consistent, systematic, multifaceted team approach.