Improving the Recognition and Assessment of ICU Delirium.

Background: Delirium is acute neurological failure that alters cognition and results in a state of confusion and lack of self-awareness. It commonly affects critically ill patients within intensive care units (ICUs), and the wide array of fluctuating symptoms frequently leads to underdiagnosis. Delirium results in cognitive impairment and increased rates of fatality, and accurate assessments are essential for improving patient outcomes.