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The prevention, diagnosis and management of delirium in older people: national guidelines
- Authors:
- BRITISH GERIATRICS SOCIETY, ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS
- Publisher:
- Royal College of Physicians
- Publication year:
- 2006
- Pagination:
- 18p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Delirium (acute confusional state) is a common condition in the elderly, affecting up to 30% of all older patients admitted to hospital. The hospital environment often precipitates or exacerbates episodes of delirium. Patients who develop delirium have high mortality, institutionalisation and complication rates and have longer lengths of stay than non-delirious patients. Delirium is often not recognised by clinicians and is often poorly managed. Recent evidence, however, demonstrates that improved understanding of delirium among health professionals and improved attention to the environment around at-risk patients can both prevent the onset of delirium and curtail episodes that do arise. The aim of these guidelines is to provide healthcare professionals with a practical approach to the identification, prevention and management of delirium. While developed primarily with a view to hospital care, the principles within the guidelines are also highly relevant to intermediate and community care settings. The appropriate management of older people at risk of delirium or who develop delirium will greatly enhance the quality of life for individuals and will be cost effective for the NHS in terms of resources required for the management of delirium and patients' length of stay.