Incidence, prevalence, and under-recognition of delirium in urology patients.
Unrecognized delirium may lead to negative outcomes, such as increased morbidity, longer hospital stays, and increased health care costs. A prospective cohort design study was used to determine the incidence and prevalence of delirium and percentage of patients with unrecognized delirium in a hospital inpatient unit. The sample consisted of 141 patients admitted to a urology/nephrology unit over a six-week period. Data were collected using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Results showed the incidence of delirium was 6%, and the prevalence was 12% in this sample. Out of 17 patients with delirium, 6 patient records (35%) had no documentation of delirium by physicians. In the nursing assessment, 1 of 17 (6%) had no documentation of any signs/symptoms of delirium. This study provided baseline data for the development, implementation, and evaluation of a delirium recognition program using the CAM. The CAM may represent an easy-to-use, valid, and reliable instrument to detect delirium as part of a routine nursing assessment.
Vollmer
Charlene M
CM
Urologicy, Renal and Transplant Unit, Memorial Medical Center, Springfield, IL, USA.
Bond
Jennifer
J
Eden
Brenda M
BM
Resch
David S
DS
Fulk
Linda
L
Robinson
Sherry
S
Hughes
Larry E
LE
D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015897:Comorbidity; D003693:Delirium / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D004282:Documentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009737:Nursing Records; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014570:Urologic Diseases / Q000150:complications*