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Dr. A. Joseph Layon Presents a Pilot Volunteer ICU Reader Program that Decreases Delirium Days in Critically Ill, Adult ICU Patients
Dr. A. Joseph Layon published an article in the BMJ Journals about Delirium, a form of acute brain dysfunction presenting as altered mental status, and impairment of memory, emotion, thinking, perception, and behavior, which develops over hours to days and is seen in 20% — 80% of adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients, depending on the diagnostic method used and severity of illness.
Delirium diagnosis is often missed, as only about 25% of patients experiencing this disorder are hyperactive; more prevalent is hypoactive delirium: patients appearing sedated and responding slowly to instructions or questions. Rarer still, mixed hyperactive-hypoactive delirium patients may be seen. There is also subsyndromal delirium, representing an intermediate state — not normal and yet not fully developed delirium.
Delirium can lead to serious complications including increased length of ICU stay and increased readmission, institutionalization, and mortality rates. If not diagnosed or treated, delirium may lead to may lead to irreparable and delayed cognitive failure.
“The ICU Reader Program was born as a service project, using volunteers, in which we hoped to identify a decrease in…
