scholarly journals MP11: Underreport of incident delirium in elderly patients treated in the emergency department

CJEM ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (S1) ◽  
pp. S44-S44 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Emond ◽  
A. Nadeau ◽  
V. Boucher ◽  
P. Voyer ◽  
M. Pelletier ◽  
...  

Introduction: It is documented that physicians and nurses fail to detect delirium in more than half of cases from various clinical settings, which could have serious consequences for seniors and for our health care system. The present study aimed to describe the rate of documented incident delirium in 5 Canadian Emergency departments (ED) by health professionals (HP). Methods: This study is part of the multicenter prospective cohort INDEED study. Patients aged 65 years old, initially free of delirium with an ED stay 8hours were followed up to 24h after ward admission. Delirium status was assessed twice daily using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) by trained research assistants (RA). HP reviewed patient charts to assess detection of delirium. HP had no specific routine detection of delirious ED patients. Inter-observer agreement was realized among RA. Comparison of detection between RA and HP was realized with univariate analyses. Results: Among the 652 included patients, 66 developed a delirium as evaluated with the CAM by the RA. Among those 66 patients, only 10 deliriums (15.2%) were documented in the patients medical file by the HP. 54 (81.8%) patients with a CAM positive for delirium by the RA were not recorded by the HP, 2 had incomplete charts. The delirium index was significantly higher in the HP reported group compared to the HP not reported, respectively 7.1 and 4.5 (p<0.05). Other predictive delirium variables, such as cognitive status, functional status, comorbidities, physiological status, and ED and hospital length of stay were similar between groups. Conclusion: It seems that health professionals missed 81.8% of the potential delirious ED patients in comparison to routine structured screening of delirium. HP could identify patients with a greater severity of symptoms. Our study points out the need to better identify elders at risk to develop delirium and the need for fast and reliable tools to improve the screening of this disorder.

2008 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 269-269
Author(s):  
Callum Kaye

Delirium in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting is a significant cause of morbidity, mortality and increases ICU, as well as hospital length of stay1,2. Furthermore, with so many of the risk factors being present in the critically ill patient in the ICU environment, it's not surprising that other studies have found that up to 80% of patients will be delirious at some point during admission3,4. We performed a small study in a Toronto Medical-Surgical ICU using the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU)5 to determine the prevalence of delirium in this unit. We concurrently reviewed medical and nursing notes to identify documentation of symptoms and signs that could indicate possible delirium during routine clinical assessment of the patient.


CJEM ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (S1) ◽  
pp. S37-S38
Author(s):  
M. Émond ◽  
P. Voyer ◽  
R. Daoust ◽  
M. Pelletier ◽  
E. Gouin ◽  
...  

Introduction: Delirium is a dreadful complication in seniors’ acute care. Many studies are available on the incidence of delirium, however ED-induced delirium is far less studied. We aim to evaluate the incidence and impact of ED-induced delirium among older non-delirious admitted ED patients who have prolonged ED stays (≥ 8 hours). Methods: This prospective INDEED study phase 1 included patients recruited from 4 Canadian EDs. Inclusion criteria: 1) Patients aged 65 and over; 2) ED stay ≥ 8 hours; 3) Patient is admitted to the hospital; 4) Patient is non-delirious upon arrival and at the end of the first 8 hours; 5) Independent or semi-independent patient. Eligible patients were assessed by a research assistant after an 8 hour exposition to the ED and evaluated twice a day up to 24h after ward admission. Patients’ functional and cognitive status were assessed using validated OARS and TICS-m tools. The Confusion Assessment Method was used to detect incident delirium. Hospital length of stays (LOS) were obtained. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to evaluate outcomes. Results: Of the 380 patients prospectively followed, mean age was 76.5 (± 8.9), male represent 50% and 16.5% very old seniors (> 85 y.o.). The overall incidence of ED-induced delirium was 8.4%. Distribution by the 4 sites was: 10%, 13.8%, 5.5% & 13.4%. The mean ED LOS varied from 29 to 48 hours. The mean hospital LOS was increase by 6.1 days in the delirious patients compared to non-delirious patient (p<0.05). Increase mean hospital LOS distribution by site was by: 6.9, 8.5, 4.3 and 5.2 days for the ED-induced delirium patients. Conclusion: ED-induced delirium was recorded in nearly one senior out of ten after a minimal 8 hour exposure in the ED environment. An episode of delirium increases hospital LOS by about a week and therefore could contribute to ED overcrowding.


CJEM ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (S1) ◽  
pp. S94-S94
Author(s):  
M. Giroux ◽  
V. Boucher ◽  
M. Émond ◽  
M. Sirois ◽  
R. Daoust ◽  
...  

Introduction: Delirium is a frequent complication among seniors in the emergency department (ED). This condition is often underdiagnosed by ED professionals even though it is associated with functional & cognitive decline, longer hospital length of stay, institutionalization and death. Frailty is increasingly recognized as an independent predictor of adverse events in seniors and screening for frailty in EDs has recently been recommended. The aim of this study was to assess if screening seniors for frailty in EDs could help identify those at risk of ED-induced delirium. Methods: This study is part of the Incidence and Impact measurement of Delirium Induced by ED-Stay study, an ongoing multicenter prospective cohort study in 5 Quebec EDs. Patients were recruited after 8 hours in the ED exposure & followed up to 24h after ward admission. Frailty was assessed at ED admission using the Canadian Study of Health and Aging-Clinical Frailty Scale (CSHA-CFS) which classified seniors from robust (1/7) to severely frail (7/7). Seniors with CSHA-CFS ≥ 5/7 were considered frail. Delirium was assessed using the Confusion assessment method and Delirium Index. Results: Of the 380 patients recruited, mean age was 76.5 (±8.9). Male were 50%. Mean stay in the ED was 1.4 day (±0.82). Preliminary data show an incidence of ED-induced delirium of 8.4%. Average frailty score at baseline was 3.5/7. 72 patients were considered frail, while 289 were considered robust. Among the frail seniors, there were 48.4% (30-66%) patients with ED-induced delirium vs 17.9% (13.7-22.0] in the non-frail ones (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Increased frailty appears to be associated with increased ED-induced delirium. Screening for frailty at emergency triage could help ED professionals identify seniors at higher risk of ED-induced delirium. Further studies are required to confirm the importance of the association between frailty and ED-induced delirium


2007 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 368-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brad Laible ◽  
Thomas Johnson

As appreciation grows for the negative impact delirium has on the clinical outcome of hospitalized patients, pharmacists are becoming more involved in the identification and treatment of this common problem. Delirium has been shown to have a significant impact on such factors as morbidity, mortality, and hospital length of stay. The Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) provides a simple assessment method for delirium that can be utilized by nonpsychiatrist personnel. While nonpharmacologic strategies are generally recommended to prevent and treat delirium, pharmacologic agents have also been investigated. This article will review causes of delirium, assessment with the CAM-ICU, and treatment options available to the pharmacist clinician.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 168-173
Author(s):  
FE Martinez ◽  
◽  
VW Ho ◽  
G Brogan ◽  
C Pickering ◽  
...  

Background: Delirium is common in intensive care and leads to increases in morbidity, mortality, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) length of stay, and hospital length of stay. Certain risk factors predict the appearance of delirium. Study Objectives: To determine the rates of delirium, the rate of risk factors, and their relationship to the occurrence of delirium in an adult ICU. Methods: Single-centre, prospective, observational study. Demographic and treatment data were collected. The Confusion Assessment Method for ICU (CAM-ICU) was performed twice daily to assess for delirium continuously during a 3-week period. Statistical analysis was used to determine the relationship between risk factors and the occurrence of delirium. Results: 86 patients were screened, 44 patients were included, and 260 patient-days were analyzed. The incidence of delirium was 42.9%, the prevalence of delirium in ICU was 50%. Urinary catheters and use of opioids were the most common factors with a positive association for occurrence of delirium. Exposure to daylight and sleeping for more than 4 hours at night were the factors most commonly associated with a lack of delirium. Conclusion: The rates of delirium in ICU were high and risk factors occurred frequently. Addressing modifiable risk factors, including the promotion of adequate sleep, could improve outcomes.


Author(s):  
Andrea Kirfel ◽  
Jan Menzenbach ◽  
Vera Guttenthaler ◽  
Johanna Feggeler ◽  
Andreas Mayr ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Postoperative delirium (POD) is a relevant and underdiagnosed complication after cardiac surgery that is associated with increased intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay (LOS). The aim of this subgroup study was to compare the frequency of tested POD versus the coded International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD) diagnosis of POD and to evaluate the influence of POD on LOS in ICU and hospital. Methods 254 elective cardiac surgery patients (mean age, 70.5 ± 6.4 years) at the University Hospital Bonn between September 2018 and October 2019 were evaluated. The endpoint tested POD was considered positive, if one of the tests Confusion Assessment Method for ICU (CAM-ICU) or Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), 4 'A's Test (4AT) or Delirium Observation Scale (DOS) was positive on one day. Results POD occurred in 127 patients (50.0%). LOS in ICU and hospital were significantly different based on presence (ICU 165.0 ± 362.7 h; Hospital 26.5 ± 26.1 days) or absence (ICU 64.5 ± 79.4 h; Hospital 14.6 ± 6.7 days) of POD (p < 0.001). The multiple linear regression showed POD as an independent predictor for a prolonged LOS in ICU (48%; 95%CI 31–67%) and in hospital (64%; 95%CI 27–110%) (p < 0.001). The frequency of POD in the study participants that was coded with the ICD F05.0 and F05.8 by hospital staff was considerably lower than tests revealed by the study personnel. Conclusion Approximately 50% of elderly patients who underwent cardiac surgery developed POD, which is associated with an increased ICU and hospital LOS. Furthermore, POD is highly underdiagnosed in clinical routine.


BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. e018190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcel Émond ◽  
Valérie Boucher ◽  
Pierre-Hugues Carmichael ◽  
Philippe Voyer ◽  
Mathieu Pelletier ◽  
...  

ObjectiveWe aim to determine the incidence of delirium and describe its impacts on hospital length of stay (LOS) among non-delirious community-dwelling older adults with an 8-hour exposure to the emergency department (ED) environment.DesignThis is a prospective observational multicentre cohort study (March–July 2015). Patients were assessed two times per day during their entire ED stay and up to 24 hours on hospital ward.SettingThe study took place in four Canadian EDs.Participants338 included patients: (1) aged ≥65 years; (2) who had an ED stay ≥8 hours; (3) were admitted to hospital ward and (4) were independent/semi-independent.Main outcome(s) and measure(s)The primary outcomes of this study were incident delirium in the ED or within 24 hours of ward admission and ED and hospital LOS. Functional and cognitive status were assessed using validated Older Americans Resources and Services and the modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status tools. The Confusion Assessment Method was used to detect incident delirium. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to evaluate outcomes.ResultsMean age was 76.8 (±8.1), 17.7% were aged >85 years old and 48.8% were men. The mean incidence of delirium was 12.1% (n=41). Median IQR ED LOS was 32.4 (24.5–47.9) hours and hospital LOS was 146.6 (75.2–267.8) hours. Adjusted mean hospital LOS was increased by 105.4 hours (4.4 days) (95% CI 25.1 to 162.0, P<0.001) for patients who developed an episode of delirium compared with non-delirious patient.ConclusionsAn incident delirium was observed in one of eight independent/semi-independent older adults after an 8-hour ED exposure. An episode of delirium increases hospital LOS by 4 days and therefore has important implications for patients and could contribute to ED overcrowding through a deleterious feedback loop.


CJEM ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (S1) ◽  
pp. S75
Author(s):  
A. Gagné ◽  
P. Voyer ◽  
V. Boucher ◽  
M. Pelletier ◽  
E. Gouin ◽  
...  

Introduction: Delirium is a very prevalent cognitive impairment in elderly inpatients, but it often goes undetected, especially in the emergency department (ED). The tools currently available to screen or diagnose patients at risk of delirium are very time-consuming and are impossible to systematically perform in the ED environment. For this reason, short tests are necessary to screen for delirium in this fast-paced setting. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the French version of the Rapid Assessment Test for Delirium (4AT) for the detection of delirium and cognitive impairment in older patients. The 4AT takes less than 2 minutes to administer, which is a great advantage on the others tests. Methods: The study was conducted in four emergency departments across the province of Québec. Participants were independent or semi-independent patients aged 65 and older, admitted to hospital and who had an 8-hour exposure to the ED. The Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS) was administered at the initial interview and the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) as well as the 4AT were administered to patients twice a day during their ED or hospital stay. The 4AT’s sensitivity and specificity were compared to that of the CAM (for delirium), and to that of the TICS (for cognitive impairment). Results: 324 patients were included in the study, with a mean age of 76 years old. Among the recruited participants, 21 (6.5%) had a prevalent delirium according to the CAM, and 30 (10.2%) had an incident delirium. According to the 4AT, 48 patients (14.9%) had cognitive impairment and 81 (25.2%) had a prevalent delirium. According to the TICS, 87 patients (29.2%) have cognitive impairment. The 4AT has a sensitivity of 68,4% (IC 95% : 47,5-89,3) and a specificity of 73.2% (IC 95% : 67,8-78,7) for delirium, and a sensitivity of 50% (IC 95% : 35,9-64,1) and a specificity of 87,0% (IC 95% : 81,2-92) for cognitive impairment. Conclusion: The French Version of the 4AT could be a fast and reliable screening tool for delirium and cognitive impairment in ED. Further research is necessary for its validation in the ED.


Author(s):  
Simone Brefka ◽  
Gerhard Wilhelm Eschweiler ◽  
Dhayana Dallmeier ◽  
Michael Denkinger ◽  
Christoph Leinert

Abstract Background Delirium is a frequent psychopathological syndrome in geriatric patients. It is sometimes the only symptom of acute illness and bears a high risk for complications. Therefore, feasible assessments are needed for delirium detection. Objective and methods Rapid review of available delirium assessments based on a current Medline search and cross-reference check with a special focus on those implemented in acute care hospital settings. Results A total of 75 delirium detection tools were identified. Many focused on inattention as well as acute onset and/or fluctuating course of cognitive changes as key features for delirium. A range of assessments are based on the confusion assessment method (CAM) that has been adapted for various clinical settings. The need for a collateral history, time resources and staff training are major challenges in delirium assessment. Latest tests address these through a two-step approach, such as the ultrabrief (UB) CAM or by optional assessment of temporal aspects of cognitive changes (4 As test, 4AT). Most delirium screening assessments are validated for patient interviews, some are suitable for monitoring delirium symptoms over time or diagnosing delirium based on collateral history only. Conclusion Besides the CAM the 4AT has become well-established in acute care because of its good psychometric properties and practicability. There are several other instruments extending and improving the possibilities of delirium detection in different clinical settings.


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