Delirium prevalence and screening in the Danish healthcare system

Delirium is an acute and severe syndrome, commonly occurring in elderly hospitalised or terminal patients, causing cognitive and psychotic symptoms due to somatic illness or medication. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of delirium across hospitals and nursing homes in Denmark.

This Danish cohort study, part of a global survey on March 15, 2023, examined delirium prevalence in hospitals and nursing homes. Data was collected on delirium screening practices, prevalence and staff experience.

Of 69 recruited hospitals and nursing homes, 66 participated, and 63 provided complete data for analysis. Participants included 79.4% nurses and 14.3% researchers. Delirium prevalence was 13.6% at 8 a.m. (general ward 9.7%, intensive care unit (ICU) 29.7%, emergency department 40.0% and nursing home 8.9%) and 13.9% at 8 p.m. (general ward 12.0%, ICU 19.8%, emergency department 27.2% and nursing home 10.8%) on March 15, 2023. The Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) was used by 23.8% of participants, and the confusion-assessment method for the ICU (CAM-ICU) was used by 28.6% of participants and was the most frequently used screening tool.

On March 15, 2023, delirium prevalence in Denmark was 13.6% at 8 a.m. and 13.9% at 8 p.m. across 63 hospital departments and nursing homes. The CAM, brief CAM, and CAM-ICU were the most used assessment tools.

There was no funding allocated to this study.

The study was registered in the German Registry for Clinical Trials (DRKS00030002).