Delirium assessment scales: a challenge in nursing

César Flores-Galicia, Servicio de Urgencias, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Secretaría de Salud, Ciudad de México, México
Gandhy Ponce-Gómez, Facultad de Enfermería y Obstetricia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
Alejandra Valencia-Cruz, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México

Delirium, an altered mental state characterized by acute confusion and changes in the perception of reality, is a phenomenon that has raised growing concern in the field of nursing. It is estimated that it affects 60-80% of patients with mechanical ventilation and 20-50% of critically ill patients not receiving mechanical ventilation admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). The importance of carrying out this review lies in making an accurate and early assessment of delirium in critically ill patients in intensive care. Delirium is a common condition in ICU patients and has been associated with a number of complications, including prolonged ICU and hospital stay, decreased quality of life, and mortality. In this review article, we delve into the fundamental importance of using assessment scales in detecting delirium within the nursing field. We explore how these tools not only allow for effective delirium identification but also demonstrate their practical applicability in the context of nursing care. The understanding and proper utilization of these scales not only enrich clinical assessment but also significantly contribute to improving the quality of care and patient well-being.

Keywords: Delirium. Intensive care unit (ICU). Secondary prevention. Nursing care. Nursing assessment.