Delirium

Delirium ( some times called ' acute confusional state ' ) is a common clinical syndrome characterized by disturbed consciousness, cognitive function or perception, which has an acute onset and fluctuating course ( NICE

Hyperactive type-heightened arousal restless agitated or aggressive hallucinations wandering. hypoactive type -Withdrawn Quite Sleepy Paranoid reduced conc and appetite. Mixed type -Person moves between the two subtypes -severity of symptoms can vary during the course of the day

How common-Prevalence depends on○ setting eg very common in critically ill patients ( up to 15-80 % ) 50 % of older people in hospital 30 % of older people in emergency department Upto 50 % who have hip fracture 10-40 % of people aged 65 and more living in long term care 0.4 % in general population○ criteria used for diagnosis ( eg DSM V or ICD 10 )○ Palliative phase 3-45 % ( predominantly hypoactive )

Barriers to recognition- Recognition and documentation of delirium is poor across most settings Barriers can be individual , patient related or due to working environment NICE has produced guidelines for clinicians , for care home managers , clinicians and nursing profession ( " Being a Delirium Champion )https://www.rcn.org.uk/clinical-topics/older-people/delirium/delirium-champion Several factors...