Delirium in Critical Care

Significance: ICU delirium is recognized as a significant contributor to adverse ICU and hospital outcomes. Research in this area has grown over the last 5 years. It has shown the considerable impact of delirium on patient outcomes resulting in the creation of objective ICU delirium assessment tools like the CAM-ICU. Delirium has been correlated as a strong, independent predictor of prolonged length of stay, reintubation, higher mortality, and cost of care.