ICU Delirium and Cognitive Impairment Study Group

Delirium is confusion that comes on very fast, sometimes in just a few hours. When someone becomes delirious, it means that they can not think clearly, have trouble paying attention and are not aware of what is going on around them. Sometimes they may even see or hear things that are not really there but seem very real to them.

Risk Factors
Study

Terminology and
Mnemonics

Assessment

Implementation
of CAM-ICU

FAQ

Patients and
Family

Video: 10 Key Points Tutorial

Video: Dr. Valerie Page - Delirium in ICU

The following resources are instruments offered to assist in the monitoring of delirium for ICU patients. The Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU) and the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) are well validated delirium assessment tools that are easy to administer. Below are links to these resources in several formats (i.e. training manuals, worksheets, etc.). For these resources in other languages click here.

CAM-ICU Training Manual This is a training manual for physicians, nurses and other health care professionals who wish to use the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU).	CAM-ICU Worksheet The Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale (RASS) and the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU) worksheet.	CAM-ICU Flowsheet Confusion Assessment Method in the ICU designed by Houman Amirfarzan, M.D.
ICDSC The Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist is an eight item checklist based on DSM-IV Criteria and features of delirium. It is intended to be a bedside screening tool for delirium in the ICU.	Implementation Study We have documented the process improvement project that involved implementing the RASS and CAM-ICU into the bedside nursing assessments of critically ill patients at two hospitals.

Increased scrutiny has recently been placed on appropriate titration of sedative and analgesic medications in critically ill patients, especially those being treated with mechanical ventilation.

Sedation Resources

Wake Up and Breathe Study

Research indicates that at least 1 in 3 survivors of critical illness will experience long-term cognitive impairment of a severity consistent with mild to moderate dementia.

About Long Term Cognitive Impairment
Associated Outcomes
Reports of ICU Patients
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Patient Testimonial
The Return Home

	Video: ARDS Patient - Survivor Story
	Video: Long-term Neuropsychological Dysfunction

Their Altered Mental States
ICU Delirium Group was featured in US News and World Report's 100 Best Hospitals.

Hospitals Combat an Insidious Complication
Article by The Wall Street Journal

ICU Delirium: An Expert Interview With E. Wesley Ely, MD, MPH
Interview by medscape.com

'Wake Up and Breathe' Improved ICU Outcomes
Featured article by the Chest Physician publication.

What's New in Delirium Management
Podcast by the Society of Critical Care Medicine

ICU Delirium and Cognitive Impairment
Featured article by the ARDS Foundation.

Web site Review
Featured article by Critical Care

An End's Beginning
Featured article by boston.com

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

ARDS Foundation

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