Benjamin Smallheer, associate professor, published "Early Recognition of Preventable Factors Associated with Delirium Saves Lives and Costs" in "Nursing Clinics of North America." 

Key Points

• Delirium can be characterized into 3 phenotypes: hyperactive, hypoactive, and mixed delirium.
• Delirium is characterized by 4 distinct features: (1) acute change or fluctuating course of mental status during the past 24 hours, (2) inattention, (3) an altered level of consciousness, and (4) disorganized thinking.
• An easy to administer bedside scoring tool is essential for the timely diagnosis of delirium.
• The goal for treating delirium is to manage behavioral disturbances while simultaneously finding and treating any causative medical disorders.