Delirium

Course Overview

Despite the potential devastation it can cause, cognitive impairment, including delirium, remains under-recognised and often misdiagnosed. This Ausmed Course explores an overview of delirium, its causes, early identification and assessment, and provides updated information about current best-practices for treating delirium.

Topics

• What is delirium
• Delirium in different age groups
• Early identification of risk
• Assessment for delirium
• Causes of delirium
• Treatment of delirium

Need

In line with the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care’s Delirium Clinical Care Standard, having a holistic and thorough understanding of delirium and the recommended care practice is paramount for optimal outcomes for patients, and their families and carers.

Purpose

This Ausmed Course is intended to provide a deeper insight into delirium for the purpose of informing healthcare professionals and carers about its signs, helping them to recognise the difference between delirium and other cognitive impairments and informing them of the current best-practice management and treatment options that have their foundation in patient-centred care.

Learning Outcomes

• Recognise the importance of differentiating delirium from other cognitive impairments.
• Understand the causes and risk factors for delirium.
• Update knowledge on best-practice management of delirium.

Target Audience

Healthcare professionals and carers in primary care, aged care and hospital settings, as well as those looking to increase their knowledge about caring for someone with delirium.

Disclosure

No conflict of interest exists for anyone in the position to control content for this activity. Wherever possible, generic or non-proprietary names of medications or products have been used.

Educators

Presenter

Amy Bowen

See Educator Profile

Peer Reviewer

Rilla Roberts

See Educator Profile