Commentary on the position statement "Delirium Among Orthopedic or Rehabilitative Patients"

Abstract

The position statement entitled “Delirium Among Orthopedic or Rehabilitative Patients” by Yager et al. (2023) published in this issue of Rehabilitation Nursing addresses an important and challenging clinical issue. Delirium, which is a clinical syndrome characterized by a disturbance in attention and cognition with an acute onset and fluctuating course, is a common condition affecting up to 60% of elderly hospitalized patients (Fong & Inouye, 2022). The consequences of delirium, such as higher rates of institutionalization and mortality, are estimated to cost the U.S. healthcare system more than $118 billion per year for all older adults (Fong & Inouye, 2022). Delirium is preventable in an estimated 30%–50% of cases (Fong & Inouye, 2022), and as highlighted by Yager et al. (2023), nurses can play an important role in the prevention, early recognition, and treatment of delirium.