Delirium Prevention and Management in Older Adults in the Emergency Department.

Overview

Delirium, acute brain dysfunction, is present in 10% to 35% of older adults in the emergency department (ED) but unrecognized in ∼80% of cases leading to significant adverse outcomes. Thus, routine screening for delirium is vital to improve prevention and management in the ED. The treatment of delirium focuses on addressing the underlying cause. For agitation, nonpharmacologic measures using the Tolerate, Anticipate, and Don't Agitate (TADA) approach and the Assess, Diagnose, Evaluate, Prevent, and Treat (ADEPT) tool are prioritized for management. If unsuccessful, only the lowest effective dose of pharmacologic agents (atypical antipsychotics) should be used for severe symptom control.