Coronavirus infections may lead to delirium and potentially PTSD

People taken ill by coronavirus infections may experience psychiatric problems while hospitalized and potentially after they recover, research suggests.
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Frail Older Adults More Likely to Develop Delirium After Surgery

Frailty in older adults may double the risk of developing delirium following elective surgery compared to old age alone, according to a new Canadian study by St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. Frailty is defined as the condition of feeling weak, fragile, and having low energy. Read PsychCentral article here

The Confusion Care Pathway

The Confusion Care Pathway has been developed by the dementia/delirium working group at London North West Healthcare NHS Trust as a guide to best practice in supporting people with dementia, delirium and/or cognitive impairment and their carers.

Screening for delirium within the Emergency Department

New from BestBETs:

In [patients, greater than 75 years, presenting to the emergency department] is [an abbreviated mental test score assessment better than other cognitive screening tools] at [identifying delirium]?

The abbreviated mental test score has been largely adopted as a delirium screening tool within UK hospitals and there is little evidence in the literature evaluating its use within the ED setting.

Low-dose sedative reduces sudden confusion after major surgery in older adults

Giving a low-dose sedative to older adults in intensive care after surgery reduces sudden confusion, also known as delirium, without increasing the risk of adverse effects.

From the NIHR Dissemination Centre