Tag: delirium
What Can Psychologists Do in Intensive Care?
As awareness has grown of the great distress intensive care patients may suffer, units have begun recruiting psychologists to their teams. Intensive care unit psychologists aim to assess and reduce distress for patients,... read more
Dying at Home – Our Grandfather’s Great Escape
Our 94-year-old grandfather's last journey was not a glorious affair, an inelegant denouement to a life marked by global travel and migration. Still, to us, as we pushed his wheelchair out of the hospital lobby, it felt like... read more
Is Simvastatin the Miracle Drug We Think It Is?
Evaluation of early administration of simvastatin in the prevention and treatment of delirium in critically ill patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. This well designed and conducted trial demonstrates that there is... read more
The Role of Hospital Pharmacist in the Screening, Prevention and Treatment of Delirium
An interdisciplinary approach is fundamental for effective prevention and treatment of delirium. Pharmacists could play a role in identifying and resolving medication-related delirium. However, little is known about their... read more
Delirium and Benzodiazepines Associated With Prolonged ICU Stay in Critically Ill Children
Delirium is associated with a lower likelihood of ICU discharge in preschool-aged children. Benzodiazepine exposure is associated with the development and longer duration of delirium, and lower likelihood of ICU discharge.... read more
Multicenter Assessment of Sedation and Delirium Practices in the ICU in Poland
A majority of Polish ICUs do not adhere to international guidelines regarding sedation and delirium practices. There continues to be inadequate use of sedation and delirium monitoring tools. High usage of benzodiazepines... read more
Long-Term Cognitive Impairment after Critical Illness
Patients in medical and surgical ICUs are at high risk for long-term cognitive impairment. A longer duration of delirium in the hospital was associated with worse global cognition and executive function scores at 3 and 12... read more
Responding to Ten Common Delirium Misconceptions With Best Evidence
Delirium (acute confusion) is a serious, common health condition, and it predicts poor outcomes, including greater rates of mortality, institutionalization, prolonged hospitalization, and cognitive impairment. Expedient diagnosis... read more
Enhancing Delirium Case Definitions in Electronic Health Records
Delirium is an acute confusional state, associated with morbidity and mortality in diverse medically ill populations. Delirium may be better captured by composite outcomes, including both administrative claims data and elements... read more
Delirium in Hospitalized Older Adults
Delirium, an acute confusional state, is common among hospitalized elders and is associated with poor outcomes. All patients with delirium should be evaluated for reversible causes. Behavioral disturbances should be managed... read more
Barriers to Delirium Assessment in the ICU
Many barriers exist to prevent effective assessment and management of delirium, but several of these are due to a lack of understanding or unfamiliarity with the condition and the assessment tools as well as lack of medical... read more
Humanizing the Treatment of Hyperactive Delirium in the Last Days of Life
When patients with advanced cancer near the end of their life, it is important for physicians, nurses, and other health care personnel to respect and dignify the dying process of the patient. This requires a shift in focus... read more
Acute Kidney Injury Is Risk Factor for Delirium and Coma
For critically ill adults, acute kidney injury is a risk factor for delirium and coma. Stage 2 acute kidney injury was associated with increased risk of delirium and coma (odds ratios, 1.55 and 2.04, respectively), as was... read more
Post-ICU syndrome signals need for better transition between life-saving care and return to life
Studies show that there are a range of reactions to a stay in the ICU, from the physical wasting that patients experience when they're prone and immobilized to the emotional problems that can come with surviving a near-death... read more
