Delirium in Critical Care |
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Delirium is a common complication of critical illness. It has historically been regarded as an unavoidable and benign side effect of long-term sedation on an intensive care unit (ICU). However in recent years this preconception has been challenged by the publication of studies demonstrating poorer outcomes in ICU patients with delirium.
Delirium is an acute and fluctuating disturbance of consciousness and cognition occurring in up to 80% of the sickest intensive care patients. Critically ill patients are have many risk factors which increase the chance of suffering from delirium. Risk factors include exposure to sedative and analgesic medications,
Patients with delirium have longer hospital stays and lower 6-month survival than do patients without delirium, and preliminary research suggests that delirium may be associated with cognitive impairment that persists months to years after discharge.
Strategies have been identified in an attempt to reduce delirium in the critically ill patient which includes assessment and management.
The Delirium Prevention Project (DPP) has been developed to increase awareness of prevention strategies and to develop and promote education resources focusing on the management of delirium for critical care patients.
The aim of the DPP is to produce bite size teaching materials, tools and documents. The resources will be developed through a task and finish group, made up of knowledgeable and enthusiastic professionals from the multi-disciplinary teams within critical care throughout both West & South Yorkshire. The group has patient representation in reviewing materials to support patients and relatives affected by delirium. This page will be updated regularly with materials developed through the active working group.
If you have any queries regarding the project, please to e-mail [email protected]
Delirium is an acute and fluctuating disturbance of consciousness and cognition occurring in up to 80% of the sickest intensive care patients. Critically ill patients are have many risk factors which increase the chance of suffering from delirium. Risk factors include exposure to sedative and analgesic medications,
Patients with delirium have longer hospital stays and lower 6-month survival than do patients without delirium, and preliminary research suggests that delirium may be associated with cognitive impairment that persists months to years after discharge.
Strategies have been identified in an attempt to reduce delirium in the critically ill patient which includes assessment and management.
The Delirium Prevention Project (DPP) has been developed to increase awareness of prevention strategies and to develop and promote education resources focusing on the management of delirium for critical care patients.
The aim of the DPP is to produce bite size teaching materials, tools and documents. The resources will be developed through a task and finish group, made up of knowledgeable and enthusiastic professionals from the multi-disciplinary teams within critical care throughout both West & South Yorkshire. The group has patient representation in reviewing materials to support patients and relatives affected by delirium. This page will be updated regularly with materials developed through the active working group.
If you have any queries regarding the project, please to e-mail [email protected]
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New Delirium Toolkit
Use the link above to access a toolkit of resources put together to support both staff and patients and their families. |
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