Applying Delirium Assessment Instruments in Intensive Care Units: A Narrative Review

Delirium is a prevalent acute-onset neuropsychiatric disorder affecting individuals across all age groups, with its presence in critically ill patients serving as a significant warning sign. This study aimed to review the application of delirium assessment instruments in intensive care units. A narrative literature review was conducted by searching the SID, IRANDOC, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases using related MeSH and Free Text terms, including “Delirium Scale,” “Intensive Care Unit,” “Screening,” and “Cognitive Disorder.” The primary inclusion criteria were full-text published articles in English and Persian between ۱۹۹۰ and ۲۰۲۴. The review identified ۵۶ delirium screening and diagnostic instruments, many of which focus on issues such as sleep disturbances, inattention, acute onset, or fluctuating periods of cognitive changes. These instruments have been psychometrically evaluated in different countries, each exhibiting varying degrees of validity and reliability in diagnosing, screening, and assessing delirium. To enhance the effectiveness of these instruments, it is recommended to validate their psychometric properties across diverse populations in Iran.

کلیدواژه ها:

Cognitive disorder ، Delirium instrument ، Intensive Care Unit ، Screening