Preventative and Nursing Measures

Some strategies that are simple to implement in the ED include:

• Appropriate lighting levels for time of day
• Regular and repeated cues to improve personal orientation
• Use of clocks to improve orientation
• Hearing aids and spectacles in good working order
• Communication with relatives as to the cause and treatment measures for delirium
• Encourage family to visit (may help calm patient) and to bring in familiar objects from home

What medical treatment considerations would be considered to minimise confusion?

• Regular analgesia if in pain
• Optimise fluid balance to prevent dehydration
• Elimination of unexpected and irritating noise or other unfamiliar distractions (e.g. pump alarms)
• Give fluids/medications orally, if possible