Delirium assessment and management : a qualitative study on aged-care nurses’ experiences

Abstract

Aged residential care (ARC) residents with morbid health conditions frequently experience delirium. This condition is associated with diminished quality of life, preventable morbidity and untimely death. It is challenging and costly to manage delirium because of the complex interplay of physical and psychiatric symp­toms associated with this condition in both primary and secondary services. With awareness of risk factors and knowledge about delirium, ARC nurses can play a vital role in early identification, assessment and treatment, but most importantly in preventing de­lirium in aged-care residents as well as improving health outcomes