Delirium/acute confusional states: evaluation devices in nursing

Area of Science:

• Nursing Research
• Gerontology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Delirium, or acute confusional states, presents a significant challenge in healthcare settings.
• Accurate and efficient assessment tools are crucial for timely diagnosis and intervention.
• Nurse-developed instruments often focus on practical application and patient burden.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe key characteristics of nursing-developed instruments for delirium assessment.
• To present two widely utilized instruments: the Confusion Rating Scale and the NEECHAM Confusion Scale.
• To highlight the methodologies and applications of these assessment tools in clinical research.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on delirium assessment tools developed by nurses.
• Description of the structural and functional components of the Confusion Rating Scale.
• Description of the structural and functional components of the NEECHAM Confusion Scale, including physiological parameters.

Main Results:

• Instruments emphasize observable behaviors and minimize respondent burden.
• The Confusion Rating Scale relies on observable patient behaviors.
• The NEECHAM Confusion Scale integrates vital signs and oxygen saturation for early delirium detection.

Conclusions:

• Nurse-developed instruments offer practical approaches to delirium evaluation.
• Observable behaviors are a cornerstone of delirium assessment.
• The NEECHAM Confusion Scale provides a more comprehensive approach by including physiological indicators as early warning signs.