Delirium in the Intensive Care Unit: A Narrative Review of Published Assessment Tools and the Relationship between ICU Delirium and Clinical Outcomes

Abstract

Delirium is defined as an acute change or fluctuation in mental status, plus inattention, and either disorganised thinking or altered level of consciousness at the time of evaluation. Increasing numbers of studies confirm that delirium is very common in intensive care unit patients. This review summarises current knowledge about ICU delirium and offers some avenues for future research. This is a summary of Dr Waters' dissertation for the DICM.

Introducing delirium screening in a cardiothoracic critical care unit

“…Delirium is an acute confusional state characterized by fluctuating mental status, inattention and either disorganized thinking or altered level of consciousness Walters (2008) (Figure 1). It can be classified into subtypes of hypermotoric, hypomotoric and can also been seen as a mixture of the two.…”