Anticipating and preventing delirium

Delirium is one of the most common complications in elderly hospitalized patients. It is a predictor of poor prognosis. Despite its high incidence, studies have shown that physicians fail to detect at least half of all cases of delirium. This presentation will briefly discuss the diagnostic criteria according to the fourth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the incidence and characteristics of delirium. It will then go on to discuss in more detail risk factors that assist in anticipating the development of delirium. Finally, attention will be given to specific interventions to use with patients in high-risk categories with the goal of preventing the development of delirium in these individuals.