Inouye et al identified risk factors associated with delirium occurring in elderly patients in the hospital. These can help identify patients who may benefit from more aggressive management. The authors are fro Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.
Patient selection: >= 70 years of age without delirium on admission
Parameters:
(1) vision
(2) illness
(3) cognition
(4) serum BUN to creatinine ratio
Parameter
Finding
Points
vision
normal
0
impaired
1
illness
mild to moderate
0
severe
1
cognition
normal
0
impaired
1
BUN to creatinine ratio
< 18
0
>= 18 (high)
1
number of risk factors =
= SUM(points for the 4 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum number of risk factors: 0
• maximum number of risk factors: 4
• The risk for delirium increases with the number of risk factors.
Number of Risk Factors
Risk for Delirium
0
low
1 or 2
intermediate
3 or 4
high
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