Clinical nurse specialist CNS
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Delirium is a frequently encountered condition in critically ill patients that has significant clinical impacts. Associated costs for patients impacted by delirium are higher, including a 39% higher intensive care unit (ICU) cost and 31% higher hospital costs, yet delirium goes unnoticed in up to 72% of cases. If ICU nurses are not aware of risk factors and presentation of delirium, the condition may go unrecognized, allowing for development of negative sequelae. ⋯ If ICU nurses are not aware of the fluctuating nature of delirium and its varied clinical presentations, they cannot be expected to consistently identify its development when providing care. Through educational activities, it is possible to increase team member knowledge levels, potentially resulting in increased identification of delirium and a reduction in negative sequelae.