Delirium in the acute hospital Dr Louise Allan Clinical Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant Geriatrician  British Geriatrics Society

What is delirium?

What is delirium? Acute brain failure It can be acute without previous brain failure It can be recurrent Acute on chronic (previous chronic brain failure aka dementia) It can lead to chronic brain failure

What is delirium? DSM IV criteria Disturbance of consciousness (ie, reduced clarity of awareness of the environment) occurs, with reduced ability to focus, sustain, or shift attention. Change in cognition (eg, memory deficit, disorientation, language disturbance, perceptual disturbance) occurs that is not better accounted for by a preexisting, established, or evolving dementia. The disturbance develops over a short period (usually hours to days) and tends to fluctuate during the course of the day. Evidence from the history, physical examination, or laboratory findings is present that indicates the disturbance is caused by a direct physiologic consequence of a general medical condition, an intoxicating substance, medication use, or more than one cause.

What is delirium? Change in consciousness or alertness Change in cognition Memory Thinking Perception (the senses) Behaviour It happens over a short period It goes up and down It is usually caused by a physical illness

Behaviours Just “more confused” Poor attention- can’t give a history Looks around the room Agitated, plucking at bed clothes Hallucinating Very quiet or drowsy Reduced ability to care for self Loss of mobility

Three types of delirium Hyperactive Hypoactive Mixed

Why is it important? It’s the cognitive “superbug”

Why is it important? It is often not diagnosed A common problem Increased length of stay and complications Poor outcomes- mortality, admission to care home It often takes a long time to get better It doesn’t always get better

Why is it important? It can be prevented It can be treated If it does happen, good care will shorten the duration Good communication reassures and also provides realistic expectations Good practice saves money

How common is it? Delirium is common in acute hospitals e.g. 22% in general medicine 28% acute orthopaedics 80% medical ICU

Who gets delirium? Anyone! Age over 65 Dementia Frailty Sensory impairment Severe illness Recent surgery/ fracture Drugs Alcohol

What are the most common causes? Pain Infection Constipation Hydration Medication Environment

How is it diagnosed? Short Confusion Assessment Method 1. Acute onset or fluctuating course AND 2. Inattention AND EITHER 3. Disorganised thinking/ incoherent speech OR 4. Altered level of consciousness

Other features Memory impairment Disorientation to time, place or person Agitation e.g. the patient is repeatedly pulling at her sheets and IV tubing Retardation Visual or auditory misinterpretations, illusions, or hallucinations Change in sleep wake cycle e.g. excessive daytime sleepiness with insomnia at night

How is it prevented? The environment: Avoid: Hearing aids Spectacles Orientation aids Lighting Encourage food and fluid intake Encourage mobility Maintain sleep pattern Involve relatives and carers Constipation Catheters Restraint Sedation Bed or Ward moves Arguing with the patient

How is it treated? Treat infection Correct metabolic abnormalities Correct hypoxia Review medication but ensure adequate analgesia Many episodes of delirium are multifactorial Treat all the underlying causes

After delirium Frightening experience Post traumatic stress Embarrassment Need for reassurance Need for information Need for recognition of dementia after delirium

What are we up against? Culture Lack of training Competition from other patient safety initiatives

THINK DELIRIUM

Table top exercise Does your group have experience of delirium? Were you given information about it? What can you organisation do? What can the DAA do?