title: Clinical identification of cognitive impairment in ICU survivors: insights for intensivists.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A growing body of research has demonstrated the presence of ongoing cognitive impairment in large numbers of ICU survivors.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This review offers a practical framework for practicing intensivists and those following patients after their ICU stay for the identification of cognitive impairment in ICU survivors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early detection of cognitive impairment in critically ill patients is an important and achievable goal, but overt cognitive impairment remains unrecognized in most cases. However, it can be identified by objective (test scores) or subjective evidence (clinical judgment, patient observation, family interaction).
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Services Research, Vanderbilt University, 6100 Medical Center East, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
authors.forename: Sharon M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: James C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: E Wesley
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Ely
authors.forename: Candace
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Burger
authors.forename: Ramona O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Hopkins
mesh_terms: D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D016638:Critical Illness; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D017741:Survivors