Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie
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Delirium, an important event in hospital, is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Most patients with delirium recover fully; however, when left untreated, delirium may progress to stupor, coma, or death. Delirium is less likely to resolve completely in elderly patients in whom persistent cognitive deficits commonly occur. The extent to which this information is available to family doctors after discharge was investigated. ⋯ Delirium episodes that occur during a period of hospitalization for treatment of any medical disorder are underreported, even when specifically diagnosed. Structured discharge summaries tend to increase the rate of reporting.