Abstract
Delirium complicates the hospitalization of up to 54% of medical inpatients, but up to 40% of incident delirium is preventable. Primary prevention of delirium in medical wards can be achieved through protocolized, interdisciplinary, multicomponent nonpharmacologic interventions that involve the bedside nurse, often an advance-practice nurse, the family, and, where available, trained volunteers, in addition to the medical team. The physician’s role is to assess and (whenever possible) correct risk factors through a careful history, physical examination, and screening laboratory tests. These assessments include cognitive and functional assessment and a careful review of medications, eliminating or reducing the doses of those known to contribute to delirium. At present, there are no proven pharmacologic delirium-prevention measures, although melatonin holds promise as an adjunct in prevention. Once delirium has occurred, secondary and tertiary prevention take over to prevent delirium-associated complications.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Delirium |
Subtitle of host publication | Prevention, Symptoms and Treatment |
Publisher | Nova Science Publishers, Inc. |
Pages | 49-69 |
Number of pages | 21 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781536123876 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781536123852 |
State | Published - Jan 1 2017 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)