Hospital Delirium

Hospitals Combat an Insidious Complication | WSJ
| 10.17.07

Delirium was once thought to be an unavoidable complication without lasting effects, but a growing body of evidence indicates that the condition can have devastating long-term consequences — and that it is preventable with simple changes in care. Researchers are exploring the links between delirium and long-term mental impairment, including whether hallucinations and delusions that happen during delirium can cause a form of posttraumatic stress disorder. Studies also show that delirium prolongs hospital stays, increases treatment costs and poses a threefold risk of death within six months for patients in the ICU, compared with patients without delirium.