Patient Safety Authority: Delirium

Summary

Delirium is a common syndrome in hospitalized adults, particularly those age 65 or older, and has been recognized as a hospital-acquired condition that can result in serious harm to patients. Risk for developing delirium is influenced by predisposing and precipitating factors, many of which are modifiable. Hospitals are encouraged to implement an interdisciplinary, multicomponent delirium prevention plan targeted to these contributing factors to improve clinical outcomes and decrease harm.

The Patient Safety Authority has collated guidelines, tools and resources on delirium.