Delirium Bibliography

Reference Information

Title

Barriers to delirium assessment in the intensive care unit: A literature review.

Authors

Rowley-Conwy, G.

Year

2018

Journal

Intensive Crit Care Nurs

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Delirium is a common syndrome that has both short and long-term negative outcomes for critically ill patients. Many studies over several years have found a knowledge gap and lack of evidence-based practice from critical care personnel, but there has been little exploration of the reasons for this. AIM: To identify the perceived barriers to delirium assessment and management among critical care nurses. METHOD: A literature review of published studies to examine barriers to effective delirium assessment using a comprehensive search strategy. Five relevant studies identified for review. RESULTS: Few studies have investigated barriers to delirium assessment and management, but several themes reoccur throughout the literature. The perceived time consuming nature of the assessment tools is cited by many, as is the lack of medical prioritisation of results. Lack of education on delirium appears to be a significant factor and reinforces some of the stated misconceptions. CONCLUSION: Many barriers exist to prevent effective assessment and management of delirium, but several of these are due to a lack of understanding or unfamiliarity with the condition and the assessment tools as well as lack of medical prioritisation of the results. Further research is needed on this topic.

PMID

29054400

Keywords

Critical Care Nursing/*methods
Critical Illness/*nursing/psychology
Delirium/*complications/diagnosis/*nursing
Humans
Intensive Care Units/organization & administration
Nurse-Patient Relations
Perception
Time Factors
Assessment
Barriers
Delirium
Nursing

Page(s)

99-104

Volume

44

Issue