title: Delirium in the Neuro Intensive Care Unit.
abstract: This article reviews current literature regarding the neuro intensive care unit (ICU) and the ICU setting in general regarding delirium, pain, agitation, and evidence-based guidelines and assessment tools. Delirium in the ICU affects as many as 50% to 80% of patients. Delirium is associated with increased burden of illness, higher mortality, and increased suffering. Evidence-based guidelines recommend using validated and reliable assessment tools. We reviewed current national clinical guidelines, validated tools for assessing pain, agitation/sedation, and delirium. We also reviewed a delirium risk-assessment/prediction tool.
authors.affiliation: Neurocritical Care Unit, University of Maryland Medical Center, 22 South Greene Street, Baltimore, MD, USA; University of Maryland School of Nursing, 655 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. Electronic address: jhaymore@umm.edu.
authors.forename: Joseph B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Haymore
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 620 West Lexington Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
authors.forename: Nikhil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Patel
mesh_terms: D010054:Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale; D003422:Critical Care; D003693:Delirium / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D059408:Pain Management
keywords: Altered level of consciousness; Assessment; Delirium; Inattention; Validated tools