ICUs take simple steps to reduce patient delirium
Hospitals use several strategies, such as limiting sedation, reducing noise and opening window blinds to let in the sun, to reduce ICU delirium among critically ill patients. Arthur St. Andre, director of surgical critical care at Washington Hospital Center, said creating a natural environment, even through music or soothing murals on the ceiling, is important. The Washington Post (4/11)
Administering comfort care measures for all patients with bodies that can no longer provide them with a significant quality of life will support the mission of health care. Instituting such therapies in the ICU’s will not only decrease the costs of hospital stays, but will limit the number of invasive procedures and the amount of pain to patients with limited possibilities of a cure. Palliative care is a program every intensive care unit should incorporate to make the ICU stay a truly gentle treatment.
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