Position Statement: Delirium Among Orthopedic or Rehabilitative Patients.

Abstract

Patients in specialty populations, such as orthopedic and rehabilitative patients, may experience delirium. Delirium is often unrecognized or underdiagnosed in patients. Delirium is associated with increased lengths of stay, delayed discharge, and increased morbidity and mortality (Richards et al., 2016). Ineffective treatment of delirium can cause long-term, irreversible consequences for the hospitalized patient (Cole et al., 2015). All clinicians need to be vigilant in knowing the risk factors of delirium, maintaining skills to recognize symptoms through routine assessment using validated tools, and being prepared to implement interventions to prevent and treat delirium regardless of the setting (Burton et al., 2021).