Related Experiment Videos
Delirium: a key challenge for perioperative care
N A O'Regan1, J Fitzgerald, S Timmons
1Centre for Gerontology and Rehabilitation, University College Cork, St. Finbarr's Hospital, Cork, Ireland. niamh.oregan@ucc.ie
International Journal of Surgery (London, England)
|January 2, 2013
Summary
Delirium, a common yet overlooked condition in hospitals, significantly worsens patient outcomes. Early detection through screening and staff awareness, alongside preventative strategies, is crucial for better care and outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Critical Care Medicine
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Delirium affects 20% of hospital inpatients and up to 62% of surgical patients.
- It is a significant predictor of mortality and institutionalization, often overlooked in older adults.
- While often comorbid with dementia, delirium requires urgent diagnosis and intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the prevalence and underdetection of delirium, especially hypoactive presentations.
- To emphasize the importance of early detection and preventative strategies in improving patient outcomes.
- To discuss effective management and treatment approaches for delirium.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on delirium prevalence, risk factors, and management.
- Emphasis on routine screening and staff education for improved detection rates.
- Discussion of multicomponent preventative strategies and pharmacological interventions.
Main Results:
- Delirium is highly prevalent and a predictor of poor outcomes.
- Hypoactive delirium presentations are common but frequently missed.
- Multicomponent preventative strategies and optimized perioperative care reduce incidence.
Conclusions:
- Improved detection through screening and staff awareness is vital.
- Preventative strategies, including optimizing risk factors and judicious medication use, are effective.
- Comprehensive management involving addressing underlying illness and simplifying the environment is key.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Cardiomyopathy VII: Pre and Post Operative Nursing Management
Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction who remain symptomatic despite optimal medical therapy may undergo a septal myectomy (Morrow procedure). This procedure involves excising a portion of the hypertrophied septum below the aortic valve using a heart-lung machine to improve blood flow through the LVOT. Effective preoperative and postoperative nursing management ensures successful patient outcomes, minimizes complications, and...
01:28Esophageal Varices-II: Clinical Features and Management
Esophageal varices often manifest as gastrointestinal bleeding episodes, presenting symptoms like hematemesis (vomiting of blood), hematochezia (passing fresh blood via the rectum), and melena (black, tarry stools). Other signs can include weight loss, anorexia, abdominal discomfort, jaundice, pruritus, altered mental status, and muscle cramps.
In the initial assessment, a thorough review of the patient's medical history is vital to identify risk factors such as liver disease, alcohol abuse, or...
In the initial assessment, a thorough review of the patient's medical history is vital to identify risk factors such as liver disease, alcohol abuse, or...
01:23Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
During the postoperative period, it is crucial to focus on maintaining circulation, identifying and managing potential complications, and planning for discharge.Nursing AssessmentVital signs monitoring: Regularly monitor vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature, to detect early signs of complications such as bleeding and infection.Circulation assessment: Monitor pulses, perform Doppler assessments, and check capillary refill, color, temperature, and...
01:30Ethical Dilemmas II
Resolving an ethical dilemma in healthcare involves a systematic approach that considers every aspect of the issue, respecting both the patient's needs and values and the healthcare professional's ethical obligations. Here are potential steps to resolve an ethical dilemma:
01:22Stages of General Anesthesia
Various sedation levels offer significant advantages in facilitating procedural interventions for patients undergoing medical or invasive surgical procedures. These levels span from anxiolysis to general anesthesia, providing a spectrum of sedative effects to cater to specific patient needs. Anxiolysis reduces anxiety and is achieved through minimal sedation, enabling patients to remain awake and responsive while feeling more at ease during the procedure. This level can benefit minor...
01:22Dementia l: Introduction
Dementia is an acquired, progressive syndrome characterized by a decline in multiple cognitive domains severe enough to impair daily functioning and reduce independence. Although memory loss is a central feature, the diagnosis requires additional deficits involving language, executive function, visuospatial skills, judgment, calculation, or abstract reasoning. These cognitive impairments reflect underlying neurodegenerative or vascular processes that gradually disrupt neuronal networks...