Enzephalopathie in der Notaufnahme

Delirium in the older emergency department
patient: a quiet epidemic.
� Delirium is defined as an acute change in cognition
� This form of organ dysfunction commonly occurs in older
patients in the emergency department (ED) and is associated
with a multitude of adverse patient outcomes.
� Consequently, delirium should be routinely screened for in older
ED patients.
� Once delirium is diagnosed, the ED evaluation should focus on
searching for the underlying cause.
� Infection is one of the most common precipitants of delirium,
but multiple causes may exist concurrently.
Han JH, Wilson A, Ely EW. Department of Emergency Medicine,Vanderbilt University
Medical Center, Nashville, USA. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2010 Aug;28(3):611-31