Cuidados independientes que realizan los profesionales de enfermería en la prevención del delirio

Abstract

Introduction: Delirium is a condition that affects attention, consciousness, and cognition, especially in older people. It can result from underlying diseases or medications. It has a great economic and social impact, with the need for special care, increased risk of falls, prolonged hospitalization and institutionalization. Methods: A literature search was performed in SciELO and Scopus with the keywords "delirium", "prevention" and "nursing" establishing inclusion and exclusion criteria to select 15 relevant articles on the independent care provided by nursing professionals in the prevention of delirium occurrence in the last 5 years and open access. Results: The importance of delirium prevention and management through nursing interventions and the use of specific tools is highlighted. The potential of technology for early detection and preventive intervention is highlighted. Nurses play an essential role in the early identification and management of delirium by implementing various interventions and assessment tools. The implementation of standardized measures and protocols to improve the quality of care is recommended, although the need for future studies to improve delirium care is suggested. Conclusion: The importance of nursing interventions in the prevention and management of delirium was observed, highlighting their effectiveness in reducing the incidence and severity. The usefulness of easily accessible tools and technologies for early detection is highlighted. On the other hand, the need for continuous research to improve patient care and quality of life was emphasized.