10 key issues for prevention, monitoring and non-pharmacological treatment of delirium in critically ill patients

Abstract

In intensive care units, due to critical illness nature and environment special characteristics, it is relatively common for admitted patients to develop acute confusional syndrome (ACS) or delirium. The nurse’s duties are to carry out interventions that reduce the presentation of this process, which is still an important complication as it is related to longer periods of mechanical ventilation, longer ICU and hospital stays, higher mortality; both in-hospital and after discharge and grater long term cognitive dysfunction. Therefore, nurses participation is essential to prevent and treat delirium, and more specifically in the autonomous part with non-pharmacological measures such as pain control, avoid under or oversedation, promoting restful sleep and facilitating family support among other measures. The objective is to carry out an update that describes 10 key points focused on the tools for detecting/monitoring delirium and non-pharmacological measures for its prevention and treatment. Based on the review of the literature, the 10 most common interventions are described to serve as an action plan to be included in the care plans of patients affected with delirium, providing quality care to prevent and/or treat delirium in critical patients.