ABSTRACT
Delirium is a common neuropsychiatric disorder with significant clinical outcomes in the elderly. It is a clinical syndrome characterised by clouding of consciousness with cognitive dysfunction and perceptual disturbances of acute onset with a fluctuating course. It develops over a short period, posing management challenges, staff stress and inappropriate use of psychotropic medications with increased mortality and morbidity. Unfortunately, it is under detected and often undiagnosed and is one of the foremost unmet medical needs in healthcare. However it can be prevented and treated if dealt with urgently with potential cost savings as well as reduced morbidity. Delirium is associated with important qualitative and quantitative outcomes. Early screening of delirium is critical to these outcomes with quality improvement initiatives implemented by Healthcare Improvement Scotland to further affect the improvements in older person in acute hospital inspections. Carer involvement should be integral in delirium care and delirium should be considered as everyone’s responsibility. Education and spreading awareness of delirium is the key to success by bringing a cultural change in improving the quality of care.
