Icu Delririum Increases Hospital Length of Stay

Intensive care unit (ICU) delirium is often defined as acute brain dysfunction or agitation in the critically ill patient. The concept of ICU delirium is becoming more relevant in the ICU and is seen as a damaging phenomenon. According to Pierson (2007), a number of studies have found associations between the development of delirium and increased morbidity and mortality as well as with increased lengths of stay in both ICU and hospital stays. Throughout this paper definitions of the concept of ICU delirium will be discussed, surrogate names will be identified and the features and characteristics of the concept will be examined. In addition, case examples will be discussed as well as the relevance of this concept in nursing.

Description of Concept
Review of Literature In a research article by (Marshall & Soucy, 2003), the purpose of the article was to better understand the concept of ICU delirium, the clinical practice guidelines, and the nursing assessment tools and interventions that could help prevent and earlier identify delirium. After review of the literature the author’s findings concluded that ICU delirium is a complex condition that is seen as an increasing problem and attention needs to be focused on early detection and prevention. The findings as revealed by the author further demonstrates that critical care nurses are in an excellent position to assess and identify behaviors that are prodromal (Marshall & Soucy, 2003). Arend and Christensen (2009) completed a research study examining the causes and contributory factors that lead to delirium, effects of delirium on patients and the nursing and medical interventions that can improve the management of delirium. Findings from this study, after a systematic and comprehensive literature review, found routine assessment of all patients in the ICU for delirium is crucial for its management and that nurses play an important role in the treatment of these patients. “Nurses are on the front line to

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