Improving Delirium Detection in ICU Patients

Sample size: 178 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Margaret A Pisani, Katy LB Araujo, Peter H Van Ness, Ying Zhang, E Wesley Ely, Sharon K Inouye

Primary Institution: Yale University School of Medicine

The study aims to develop a research algorithm to enhance the detection of delirium in critically ill ICU patients.

The study found that 80% of patients developed delirium in the ICU, highlighting the need for improved detection methods.

80% of patients in the study developed delirium at some point during their ICU stay.
The algorithm improved delirium detection from 20% to 64% patient-days.
Sensitivity of the chart-based method was 64% and specificity was 85%.
Delirium assessment using the CAM-ICU was not performed on 48% of patient-days.

Most older patients in the ICU get confused and it's important to find out when they do, so we can help them better.

A prospective cohort study using the CAM-ICU and chart review to assess delirium in ICU patients.

Potential bias from having a single research nurse perform chart-based abstraction.

The study was conducted at a single site, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.

Participants were aged 60 years and older, with a mean age of 74.2 years, and included both men and women.

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