How to do diagnosis

Delirium is a common and serious syndrome for the older patient, but it is frequently not diagnosed; in fact, it is rarely present in the discharge diagnosis after hospitalization. The prevalence of delirium is 11-42%; it causes a longer hospital stay, a higher risk of hospitalization, and a higher mortality. The DSM-IV definition is still the diagnostic gold standard, but many screening test have been proposed, since this syndrome is important, but not diagnosed; the Confusion Assessment Method, the Delirium Rating Scale, the Delirium Index, and the Neecham Confusion Scale allow easily and quickly the recognition of delirium, also by the nurse staff. It is desirable that this topic will be adequately teached, and that the diagnostic guidelines will be costantly implemented.