In this Issue of CCR

Abstract

What is delirium? How do we diagnose it? What is the difference between delirium and behavioural disturbance? Is delirium a useful clinical construct? Is behavioural disturbance a more useful clinical construct for intensivists? Can we do large-scale epidemiological assessment of behavioural disturbance given that it is not a binary state and that it cannot be diagnosed by numbers? These are fundamental questions in the practice of modern intensive care medicine given that such “states” appear to affect one-third or more of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). In this issue of Critical Care and Resuscitation, we present the first attempt to address this concept using the technique of natural language processing and applying it to electronic ICU notes by nurses, doctors and allied health staff. The findings may surprise you, fascinate you, and make you think about these concepts from a different perspective, as summarised in a thoughtful editorial by Professor Reade.