Acute Delirium: Differentiation and Care

Delirio en niños críticamente enfermos

El delirio en pacientes críticos es una condición médica que afecta tanto a adultos como a niños; en ambas poblaciones implica graves complicaciones como estancia hospitalaria prolongada, alto riesgo de muerte y deterioro cognitivo a largo plazo, así como mayores costos económicos en cuanto a la prestación de servicios de salud. La principal dificultad de esta condición en la población pediátrica es su adecuado reconocimiento, ya que puede presentarse en edades muy tempranas, incluso en niños lactantes, cuando sus signos y síntomas pueden confundirse o superponerse con otras patologías, tales como el síndrome de abstinencia. En consecuencia, en estos casos el uso de herramientas diagnósticas puede ser una labor compleja que implica múltiples dificultades.Antes de 2011 no había muchos estudios que abordaran la evaluación del delirio en niños. Sin embargo, ese mismo año se estableció la primera escala desarrollada específicamente para el monitoreo de pacientes en unidades de cuidado intensivo pediátrico, lo que llevó a un aumento significativos del número de casos de delirio en niños menores de 5 años críticamente enfermos; esta situación hizo que los pediatras se interesaran más en estudiar esta importante patología.La presente reflexión, basada en una revisión de la literatura, busca actualizar el amplio espectro fisiopatológico del delirio en niños críticamente enfermos y, de esta forma, mejorar su tamizaje, diagnóstico e intervenciones terapéuticas tempranas en todas las edades pediátricas, incluso en menores de 5 años.

Impacting Delirium in the Trauma ICU Utilizing the ICU Liberation Collaborative Benchmark Report

Delirium is a frequent complication of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, manifesting as acute confusion with inattention and disordered thinking. Patients in the ICU who develop acute delirium are more likely to experience long-term disability and mortality. The Society of Critical Care Medicine published guidelines for the management of pain, agitation, and delirium (PAD) in the ICU in 2013. Based on these PAD guidelines, the ABCDEF bundle was created. Research is lacking on how adherence to the ABCDEF bundle elements impacts specific populations such as trauma patients. This represents a significant gap for patients whose multisystem injuries and comorbidities add a higher level of complexity to their care and outcomes. The medical ICU at a large community hospital participated in a 2-year quality improvement project as part of the Society of Critical Care Medicine's ICU Liberation Collaborative. However the organization's trauma ICU (TICU) was excluded from the study. The purpose of this study was to conduct a baseline assessment of trauma patient records to determine which bundle elements were already being applied in the TICU, and if the resources required for implementing the full ABCDEF bundle would be beneficial to the TICU patient outcomes. Benchmark data from the organization's participation in the ICU Liberation Collaborative quality improvement project served as the primary source of evidence. Analysis revealed strengths and opportunities for improvement. Incidence of delirium remained unchanged and far below national averages, indicating the need for further investigation into practices to verify this finding. An opportunity was identified to expand implementation of certain elements of the ABCDEF bundle in the trauma ICU. There is an opportunity for nurses to take the lead in improving patient outcomes. With improved education, evidence-based assessment tools, and best practice guidelines, nurses can help decrease the incidence of delirium by as much as 30%.

CE: Original Research: Recognizing Delirium in Hospitalized Children: A Systematic Review of the Evidence on Risk Factors and Characteristics

: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the evidence regarding the risk factors for and characteristics of acute pediatric delirium in hospitalized children.

METHODS

The systematic review method within an epidemiological framework of person, place, and time was used. Fifty-two studies were selected for initial retrieval. Of these, after assessment for methodological quality, 21 studies involving 2,616 subjects were included in the review.

RESULTS

Findings revealed five primary characteristics seen in children experiencing delirium: agitation, disorientation, hallucinations, inattention, and sleep-wake cycle disturbances. Children who were more seriously ill, such as those in a pediatric ICU (PICU) and those with a high Pediatric Risk of Mortality II (PRISM II) score, and children who were mechanically ventilated were at greater risk for development of delirium. Those with a developmental delay or a preexisting anxiety disorder were also more prone to delirium. Although delirium symptoms fluctuate, most episodes occurred at night. Boys were slightly more susceptible than girls, though this difference was not significant. A key finding of this review was that delirium is multifactorial, related to treatment (mechanical ventilation, for example) and to a hospital environment (such as a PICU) that deprives patients of normal sleep-wake cycles and familiar routines.

CONCLUSION

These findings will be useful in efforts to achieve earlier recognition and better management or prevention of pediatric delirium. This may also help to prevent unnecessary laboratory testing and imaging studies, which can cause children and parents unnecessary pain and anxiety and increase hospital costs.

Delirium in the Neuro Intensive Care Unit

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.

Finding and using best evidence for rehabilitation

With the demands for improved experiences of care, improved outcomes, and greater efficiency/lower costs, the need for an evidence-based approach to care in rehabilitation settings has never been more urgent. This article guides practitioners in how to find the best available evidence for rehabilitation settings. It then discusses the use of evidence from systematic reviews through a high-impact case study: delirium in patients with postoperative hip fracture.