Doctors to be updated on delirium care

While delirium can affect across age groups, 30 per cent of older patients suffer from it during hospitalisation due to factors like age and sensory impairment. It is triggered by factors such as from illness, medications and surgery, pointed out Dr M Santhanakrishnan, senior consultant, Psychiatry from Tees, Esk, Wear Valleys Foundation NHS Trust, UK, and founder of “iDelirium” – International Delirium Organisation.

He added, “Among the vulnerable group affected by the condition, as many as 30 to 40 per cent might also die because of it. Delirium across the world remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. It causes distress and concern and extends hospital stay, adding to the costs.” 

The organisation is observing International Delirium Day on March 15, in association with Kauvery Hospital. Apart from raising awareness among the hospital staff on the day, especially among the junior doctors and nurses, hospitals across the city will also be roped into the programme to spread the word.

Dr Yamini Kannappan, consultant psychiatrist, Kauvery Hospital, said, “As per a study in our hospital, many nurses said that they didn’t have accurate information about the condition and some of them even said they didn’t know how to deal with it.” The experts added that it was important to focus on junior doctors and nurses as they were in contact with the patients more than the specialists. “They would be able to pick the signs and symptoms at the earliest. We need to prevent it by understanding the risk factors and keeping the patient in the best of knowledge by reorienting them,” they said. 

The treatment for delirium involves addressing the triggers and nonpharmacological strategies.