The fully updated second edition of this popular handbook concisely summarises all current knowledge about delirium in critically ill patients and describes simple tools the bedside clinician can use to prevent, diagnose and manage delirium. Chapters discuss new developments in assessing risk and diagnosis, crucial discoveries regarding delirium and long-term cognitive outcomes, and dangers of sedation and death. Updated management advice reflects new evidence about antipsychotics and delirium. This book explains how to minimise the risks of delirium, drugs to avoid, drugs to use and when to use them, as well as current theories regarding pathophysiology, different motoric subtypes leading to missed diagnosis, and the adverse impact of delirium on patient outcomes. While there are still unanswered questions, this edition contains all the available answers. Illustrated with real-life case reports, Delirium in Critical Care is essential reading for trainees, consultants and nurses in the ICU and emergency department.

Maintains the first edition's evidence-based approach and engaging writing style, bringing the text to life with patient case histories
Includes practical instruction about screening for delirium
Updated throughout to bring the second edition in line with current knowledge and recent evidence, including new developments in assessing risk and diagnosis, discoveries regarding delirium and long-term cognitive outcomes, and dangers of sedation and death

Table of Contents

Foreword David K. Menon
A patient testimony
1. What is delirium in critical care?
2. How common is delirium in critical care?
3. What does delirium look like in critical care?
4. Delirium in critical care how does it happen?
5. Delirium what causes it? Risk factors
6. Delirium in critical care why is it important? 7. Delirium in critical care how do we diagnose it? 8. How to prevent delirium? 9. Treatment of delirium in critical care
10. Mental capacity and restraints
11. End of life care
12. What's the future?
Selected references
Index.