Prevention and management of delirium in hospital

Abstract

Delirium is a geriatric syndrome. Its prevalence is ranging from 20-70% in hospitalised patients in different clinical settings. Incident delirium is commonly seen among post-surgical and critical care patients. Identification of vulnerable patients and avoiding precipitants is paramount in prevention. Proactive screening of them with a validated tool at different points during the hospital stay helps early identification of delirium. Treating the underlying condition which triggered it, and multi-domain nonpharmacological interventions are an essential part of the management of established delirium. Enhancing the competencies of health care professionals and development and validation of local delirium care pathways in the local set-up are essential steps in achieving better patient outcomes. Received 5 April 2023, accepted 18 June 2023.