• Gabby Rowley-Conwy.
• Department of Nursing, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 APP, United Kingdom; Critical Care, Glangwili Hospital, Dolgwili Road, Carmarthen, SA31 2AF, United Kingdom. Electronic address: G.Wilcox@swansea.ac.uk.
• Intensive Crit Care Nurs. 2018 Feb 1; 44: 99-104.

BackgroundDelirium is a common syndrome that has both short and long-term negative outcomes for critically ill patients. Many studies over several years have found a knowledge gap and lack of evidence-based practice from critical care personnel, but there has been little exploration of the reasons for this.AimTo identify the perceived barriers to delirium assessment and management among critical care nurses.MethodA literature review of published studies to examine barriers to effective delirium assessment using a comprehensive search strategy. Five relevant studies identified for review.ResultsFew studies have investigated barriers to delirium assessment and management, but several themes reoccur throughout the literature. The perceived time consuming nature of the assessment tools is cited by many, as is the lack of medical prioritisation of results. Lack of education on delirium appears to be a significant factor and reinforces some of the stated misconceptions.ConclusionMany barriers exist to prevent effective assessment and management of delirium, but several of these are due to a lack of understanding or unfamiliarity with the condition and the assessment tools as well as lack of medical prioritisation of the results. Further research is needed on this topic.Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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