Table 2

Delirium and neuropsychological outcomes

All patients (n=148)Delirium
(n=108)
No delirium
(n=40)
P value
Delirium measures
 Delirium, n (%)108 (73)108 (100)
 Duration of delirium, days (IQR)10 (4–17)10 (4–17)
 Agitation n, (%)54 (50)
 Antipsychotic use, n (%)43 (29%)42 (39)1 (2.5)<0.001
 Evidence of delirium reversal, n (%)71 (66)
ICU liberation bundle activity compliance rate, % (IQR)
 Mobility exercises40 (28–67)37 (26–55)62 (31–152)0.009
 Familiar objects at bedside14 (4.4–31)14 (5.9–25)18 (0–62)0.38
 Daily visual and hearing aids33 (13–76)27 (13–63)77 (14–213)0.005
 Daily spontaneous awakening/breathing trials14 (2.3–25)14 (7.9–25)6.7 (0–23)0.07
Psychiatric outcomes
 New antidepressant use, n (%)30 (20)27 (25)3 (7.5)0.01
 New psychiatry consults, n (%)21 (14)21 (19)0 (0)0.003
  • Delirium prevention measures are based on the standard ICU liberation bundle protocols (see text for details). Per institutional protocol, clinicians conduct mobility exercises three times daily, place familiar objects at the bedside once daily, promote visual and hearing aid use daily and conduct daily spontaneous awakening/breathing trials daily (if eligible). Given this schedule, compliance/occurrence rates (%) were calculated for each patient by calculating the total number of activities charted divided by the total number expected based on length of ICU stay (day of ICU discharge was not counted).

  • ICU, intensive care unit.