Clinical Assessment and Management of Delirium in the Palliative Care Setting.

ABSTRACT: Delirium is a neurocognitive syndrome arising from acute global brain dysfunction, and is prevalent in up to 42% of patients admitted to palliative care inpatient units. The symptoms of delirium and its associated communicative impediment invariably generate high levels of patient and family distress. Furthermore, delirium is associated with significant patient morbidity and increased mortality in many patient populations, especially palliative care where refractory delirium is common in the dying phase. As the clinical diagnosis of delirium is frequently missed by the healthcare team, the case for regular screening is arguably very compelling. Depending on its precipitating factors, a delirium episode is often reversible, especially in the earlier stages of a life-threatening illness. Unt

SUBMITTER: Bush SH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5613058 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature