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. 2024 Oct;15(5):1405-1413.
doi: 10.1007/s41999-024-01019-5. Epub 2024 Jul 18.

Delirium prevalence and delirium literacy across Italian hospital wards: a secondary analysis of data from the World Delirium Awareness Day 2023

Alice Margherita Ornago #  1   2 , Elena Pinardi #  3   4 , Chukwuma Okoye  3   4   5 , Paolo Mazzola  3   5 , Maria Cristina Ferrara  3 , Alberto Finazzi  3 , Peter Nydahl  6   7 , Rebecca von Haken  8 , Heidi Lindroth  9   10 , Keibun Liu  11   12 , Alessandro Morandi #  13   14 , Giuseppe Bellelli #  3   5 ; National Collaborators; Italian Participating Clinicians
Collaborators, Affiliations

Delirium prevalence and delirium literacy across Italian hospital wards: a secondary analysis of data from the World Delirium Awareness Day 2023

Alice Margherita Ornago et al. Eur Geriatr Med. 2024 Oct.

Abstract

Purpose: Delirium, a common medical emergency among hospitalized patients, requires effective detection and management protocols. This study aims to evaluate the delirium point prevalence and its management across Italian hospitals, categorized by delirium literacy levels. Additionally, it seeks to identify prevailing barriers and future priorities in delirium practice and research.

Methods: We analyzed data from World Delirium Awareness Day (WDAD) on March 15th, 2023, collected by participating clinicians in Italian hospitals. High delirium literacy (HL) was determined based on the use of validated delirium assessment tools and the presence of a written protocol for delirium management. Conversely, low delirium literacy (LL) was determined by meeting only one or neither of these criteria.

Results: Fifty-eight hospital wards participated in the survey, with 25 (43.1%) classified as HL. The overall reported point prevalence of delirium was found to be approximately 10%. Notably, the reported prevalence was twice as high in the HL group compared to the LL group. Despite minimal differences compared to the other group, the HL group demonstrated greater adherence to appropriate delirium management strategies, encompassing both non-pharmacological and pharmacological strategies. Critical gaps in delirium care emerged, including suboptimal management practices, barriers to implementing evidence-based strategies, and insufficient awareness and training among professionals.

Conclusion: The study highlights the suboptimal identification and management of delirium among Italian hospitals, emphasizing the necessity of enhancing awareness and implementing evidence-based strategies. Addressing these shortcomings is crucial for optimizing delirium care, improving patient outcomes, and mitigating the burden of delirium in hospital settings.

Keywords: Delirium; Hospital; Quality improvement; Survey.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose. Ethical considerations: This research is in accordance with ethical rules for human experimentation stated in the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent: Informed consent does not apply for this study, as there have not been used any personal data.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Delirium prevalence reported by survey respondents according to delirium literacy levels
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Most commonly implemented non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches according to delirium literacy levels
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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