14th February 2025

Overview of delirium

Delirium is an acute confusional state which is common in healthcare settings and associated with worse outcomes. It can cause significant distress to patients and staff.

Patient-related risk factors include age ≥65, underlying dementia or cognitive impairment, visual or hearing impairment, frailty or immobility and current hip fracture. Screening for these risk factors at presentation to an inpatient setting allows at-risk individuals to be identified and monitored for features of delirium.

Modifiable risk factors include unfamiliar surroundings, sensory factors including lack of usual sensory aids, physiological factors (dehydration, constipation, hypoxia, pain, infection) and medical factors (severe illness of any kind, electrolyte imbalance, medications, drug or alcohol withdrawal).