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I found this article a very good read. Delirium is something I have noticed about which there is increasing awareness not only among health care professionals but also among family members and close relatives of patients as they are usually the first to notice this change.
I think to tackle delirium or acute confusional state one should first know how to recognize it. We usually tend to overlook delirium and are often too fast to label our patients as "Undiagnosed or New Dementia". Delirium can present itself in several ways, like subtle changes in mood or alertness levels which in turn is dependent upon type of delirium, Hypoactive or Hyperactive.
We should keep a close eye on patients behaviour, they might sometimes feel withdrawn and well sometimes can be agressive and aggitated. While working in care of elderly ward I have often noticed that such changes are brought into our attention usually by families of patients, as they are the one who are much more closer to them and can feel even the slightest change in their behaviour, they are patients best advocate. It can be terrifying and distressing for them.
Elderly patients and those with background of dementia are more vulnerable to get delirious when they fall ill. This kickstarts a vicious cycle of events as patients tend to refrain themselves from eating and drinking (usually due to delusions) which causes impaired healing and worsening of their illness. This results in adding more fuel to the fire of delirium and the cycle goes on.
Psychiatry Liaison Team proves to be of great significance by providing with ways and means to comfort patient during this difficult phase. In addition to treating underlying cause, even simple measures like talking to the patient and getting their family involved can be very effective. Avoiding movement of beds (change of surroundings) in wards and providing well lit environment can be very useful in tackling Delirium. One thing I noticed is lack of awareness among ourselves that delirium carries with itself high mortality risk and therefore it should be taken seriously. It is frightening that Delirium affects 20-30% of over 65s during acute admission.
I agree with the author that there are many resources to get help from in fighting delirium. "Think Delirium" campaign is one of them.
One good thing about delirium - it is preventable and treatable, but when diagnosed and tackeled well in time.
Re: Delirium matters
I found this article a very good read. Delirium is something I have noticed about which there is increasing awareness not only among health care professionals but also among family members and close relatives of patients as they are usually the first to notice this change.
I think to tackle delirium or acute confusional state one should first know how to recognize it. We usually tend to overlook delirium and are often too fast to label our patients as "Undiagnosed or New Dementia". Delirium can present itself in several ways, like subtle changes in mood or alertness levels which in turn is dependent upon type of delirium, Hypoactive or Hyperactive.
We should keep a close eye on patients behaviour, they might sometimes feel withdrawn and well sometimes can be agressive and aggitated. While working in care of elderly ward I have often noticed that such changes are brought into our attention usually by families of patients, as they are the one who are much more closer to them and can feel even the slightest change in their behaviour, they are patients best advocate. It can be terrifying and distressing for them.
Elderly patients and those with background of dementia are more vulnerable to get delirious when they fall ill. This kickstarts a vicious cycle of events as patients tend to refrain themselves from eating and drinking (usually due to delusions) which causes impaired healing and worsening of their illness. This results in adding more fuel to the fire of delirium and the cycle goes on.
Psychiatry Liaison Team proves to be of great significance by providing with ways and means to comfort patient during this difficult phase. In addition to treating underlying cause, even simple measures like talking to the patient and getting their family involved can be very effective. Avoiding movement of beds (change of surroundings) in wards and providing well lit environment can be very useful in tackling Delirium. One thing I noticed is lack of awareness among ourselves that delirium carries with itself high mortality risk and therefore it should be taken seriously. It is frightening that Delirium affects 20-30% of over 65s during acute admission.
I agree with the author that there are many resources to get help from in fighting delirium. "Think Delirium" campaign is one of them.
One good thing about delirium - it is preventable and treatable, but when diagnosed and tackeled well in time.
Competing interests: No competing interests