Original Research

Assessment of delirium in the intensive care unit

T.F. Kallenbach, L.A. Amado
Southern African Journal of Anaesthesia and Analgesia | Vol 23, No 3 | a1065 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/22201181.2017.1332809 | © 2017 T.F. Kallenbach, L.A. Amado | This work is licensed under Other
Submitted: 17 November 2025 | Published: 30 June 2017

About the author(s)

T.F. Kallenbach, Department of Anaesthesia, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
L.A. Amado, Department of Anaesthesia, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa

Full Text:

PDF (305KB)

Abstract

Delirium poses a significant burden on our healthcare, with patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) at an increased risk for developing this disorder. In addition, the ICU environment poses unique challenges in the assessment of delirium. It is paramount that the healthcare provider has an understanding of delirium in ICU, and monitors for it vigilantly. There have been various scoring systems developed to assist in this regard. However, the most commonly used and validated tools for the assessment of delirium are the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) and the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC). Biomarkers of delirium are emerging as tools to diagnose delirium, stratify severity, monitor progress, and predict outcomes, potentially changing the way we approach delirium in the future.

Keywords

biomarkers; checklist; critical care; delirium; intensive care units; medical staff; patient care; South Africa

Metrics

Total abstract views: 164
Total article views: 40

 

Crossref Citations

1. Nursing Intervention to Prevent and Manage Delirium in Critically Ill Patients: A Scoping Review
Filipa Fernandes, Mariana Santos, Ana Margarida Anacleto, Cátia Jerónimo, Óscar Ferreira, Cristina Lavareda Baixinho
Healthcare  vol: 12  issue: 11  first page: 1134  year: 2024  
doi: 10.3390/healthcare12111134

2. Screening and detection of delirium in an adult critical care setting: a best practice implementation project
Juliana N. de Souza-Talarico, Fernanda C. da Silva, Flávia O. de Motta Maia, Karina Sichieri, Diley Cardoso, Paulo Garcia, Tatiane M. Matos, Tatiane S. Nascimento
JBI Evidence Implementation  vol: 19  issue: 4  first page: 337  year: 2021  
doi: 10.1097/XEB.0000000000000267

3. ASSESSMENT OF THE DELIRIUM FREQUENCY AND ITS OUTCOMES AFTER UROLOGIC SURGERIES ADMITTED TO INTENSIVE CARE UNIT
Mohammad Amin Valizade Hasanloei, Rahim Khalilzadeh, Tohid Karami, Ali Khakzad
Studies in Medical Sciences  vol: 34  issue: 2  first page: 109  year: 2023  
doi: 10.61186/umj.34.2.109

4. The effect of dexmedetomidine on delirium and agitation in patients in intensive care: systematic review and meta‐analysis with trial sequential analysis
K. T. Ng, C. J. Shubash, J. S. Chong
Anaesthesia  vol: 74  issue: 3  first page: 380  year: 2019  
doi: 10.1111/anae.14472