delirium
Delirium is a medical emergency: an acute state of confusion that commonly affects older people, especially those admitted to hospital. It is hugely distressing for patients, families and carers and increases the risk of mortality. Other potentially serious consequences include longer hospital stays, falls, loss of independence and cognitive decline.
This collection of articles aims to help nurses and care staff to prevent delirium. If prevention is not possible, however, staff should be able to recognise delirium and assess and manage patients in a timely manner.
Please contact Lisa Berry, editor of Nursing Older People, at lisa.berry@rcni.com with your comments, suggestions or feedback and help raise awareness of our content by sharing this resource on social media using the weblink rcni.com/delirium
How do I manage the care of an older person with delirium?
Guidelines recommend prompt detection by screening older people on admission to hospital
Nurses should be delirium champions and identify people at risk as early as possible
Many risk factors can be mitigated and nurses need to be knowledgeable about it
Differentiating between dementia, delirium and depression in older people
How to clinically assess, diagnose and treat patients
Engagement between secondary school students and older patients in an acute hospital
A project promoted meaningful interaction between schoolchildren and older patients
Treat delirium as a medical emergency
Delirium is a medical emergency and risk reduction should be considered throughout care
World Delirium Day: nurses will raise awareness of signs, symptoms and treatment
Features of the condition include disorientation, hallucinations and lack of responsiveness
Improving the identification of patients with delirium using the 4AT assessment
Delirium is a common neuropsychiatric disorder that all those working with older people will...
Recognising and managing delirium in patients receiving palliative and end of life care
Why you should read this article: » To improve your awareness of the causes of delirium in...
When someone with dementia has delirium, they may well be in pain too
Assessing for delirium helps nurses spot and control patients’ unspoken pain
Lifting the barriers to mental healthcare for older people
New resources are tackling the stigma and social issues that restrict access to care
Could it be delirium?
A campaign to increase awareness of delirium urges swift action to prevent harm
No longer a backwater, care homes offer a career
Care homes can be vibrant places to work, with a clear career structure