New York Times Opinion: The Epidemic Within the Pandemic - Delirium
The New York Times has published an Opinion by Dr. Sharon K. Inouye, "The Epidemic Within the Pandemic: Delirium."
Dr. Inouye, a geriatrician and founder of the Hospital Elder Life Program, talks about delirium - a sudden state of confusion or change in mental state - and the rise in delirium that health care professionals are reporting of up to 70 percent because of Covid-19. Delirium had been greatly reduced over the past 30 years, "by focusing on humanistic care and minimizing sedating drugs. One of the most effective preventive measures is keeping patients from feeling isolated." The article explores effects of recent hospital no-visitor policies on patients, and points to more humanistic measures that can be implemented during isolation.
"As some hospitals have done for patients with delirium or dementia, we must allow caregivers back to the bedside and commit to person-centered, humanistic care," says Dr. Inouye.
Photo: NYT, Nurses tend to a COVID-19 patient in a Stamford Hospital intensive care unit (ICU) in Stamford, CT. Credit: John Moore/Getty Images
To go to the article, click here.
To go to the Hospital Elder Life Program COVID-19 Resources, click here.
