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Why don't intensive care nurses perform routine delirium assessment? A discussion of the literature.

Abstract
Delirium is a well recognised and serious problem in adult intensive care patients. With a reported incidence as high as 87%, it has been associated with increased length of stay, higher costs of care, ongoing cognitive impairment and increased mortality rates. The problem is so significant that routine, formal delirium assessment is recommended for all intensive care patients. However, there is evidence to suggest that few intensive care nurses are incorporating this screening into their daily practice. The aim of this paper is to discuss what is currently known about intensive care nurses' attitudes and beliefs in relation to caring for adults who are experiencing delirium, with a focus on identifying possible barriers to formal delirium assessment. It will be argued that intensive care nurses are well placed to perform regular delirium assessment and therefore have a responsibility to promote an improvement in delirium assessment practices.
AuthorsLouise G Wells
JournalAustralian critical care : official journal of the Confederation of Australian Critical Care Nurses (Aust Crit Care) Vol. 25 Issue 3 Pg. 157-61 (Aug 2012) ISSN: 1036-7314 [Print] Australia
PMID22484162 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
CopyrightCopyright © 2012 Australian College of Critical Care Nurses Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Topics
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Clinical Nursing Research
  • Critical Care
  • Delirium (diagnosis)
  • Geriatric Assessment
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units
  • Nurse's Role
  • Nursing Assessment (standards)
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital

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