Journal article
Succinct Approach to Delirium in the Emergency Department
Current emergency and hospital medicine reports, Vol.9(2), pp.11-18
03/18/2021
DOI: 10.1007/s40138-021-00226-9
PMCID: PMC7971395
PMID: 33758677
Abstract
Purpose of Review
This study aims to provide a concise delirium review for practicing emergency medicine providers using the Assess, Diagnose, Evaluate, Prevent, and Treat (ADEPT) framework.
Recent Findings
Delirium is a form of acute brain dysfunction that results in significant mortality and morbidity for older emergency department (ED) patients. Delirium is frequently missed by healthcare providers, but monitoring for this syndrome using brief delirium assessments may improve recognition. Once delirium is diagnosed, emergency medicine providers’ primary goal is to perform a comprehensive history and physical examination to uncover the underlying etiology for delirium. This includes obtaining history from a collateral historian and obtaining an accurate medication history. If posssible, emergency physicians (EPs) should treat the medical etiology that precipitated the delirium. If agitated, non-pharmacologic interventions such that minimize the use of tethers are preferred. Pharmacologic agents such as antipsychotic medications should be used as a last resort.
Summary
Delirium is a common geriatric emergency and requires the EP to assess, diagnose, evaluate, prevent, and treat. Delirium is a key geriatric syndrome that geriatric ED providers should routinely screen for. A strong emphasis is on the widespread use of delirium screening, followed by prevention and treatment efforts.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Succinct Approach to Delirium in the Emergency Department
- Creators
- Sangil Lee - Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of MedicineClay Angel - Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical CenterJin H. Han - Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Current emergency and hospital medicine reports, Vol.9(2), pp.11-18
- DOI
- 10.1007/s40138-021-00226-9
- PMID
- 33758677
- PMCID
- PMC7971395
- NLM abbreviation
- Curr Emerg Hosp Med Rep
- ISSN
- 2167-4884
- eISSN
- 2167-4884
- Publisher
- Springer US
- Grant note
- R01AG065249; R21AG06312 / NIA R56HL141567 / National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100000050) 2U1QHP287310400 / Health Resources and Services Administration (http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100000102)
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 03/18/2021
- Academic Unit
- Emergency Medicine; Injury Prevention Research Center
- Record Identifier
- 9984297259102771
Metrics
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