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Updated: May 24, 2026
06:52
Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit
Published on: September 30, 2020
Acute delirium: differentiation and care.
Cheryl Holly1, E Renee Cantwell, Yuri Jadotte
1Department of Capacity Building Systems, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Nursing, Newark, NJ 07101, USA. hollych@umdnj.edu
Critical Care Nursing Clinics of North America
|March 13, 2012
Summary
Delirium significantly increases healthcare costs, exceeding those of falls, diabetes, and hip fractures. Early recognition and prevention are crucial for managing this complex condition.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Hospital Administration
- Healthcare Economics
Background:
- Delirium presents significant challenges in healthcare due to its fluctuating nature, complicating recognition and treatment by health professionals.
- The economic burden of delirium is substantial, impacting patient care and resource allocation within healthcare systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the substantial healthcare costs associated with delirium.
- To emphasize the importance of improved recognition and prevention strategies for delirium management.
Main Methods:
- Comparative cost analysis of patients with and without delirium.
- Literature review on delirium recognition and treatment challenges.
Main Results:
- Healthcare costs for patients with delirium were more than double those of patients without delirium.
- Delirium-associated costs potentially surpassed those of other major conditions like falls, diabetes mellitus, and hip fractures.
Conclusions:
- Effective delirium recognition and prevention are paramount for mitigating its high healthcare costs.
- Further research and implementation of targeted interventions are needed to address the economic and clinical impact of delirium.
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