Improving Early Detection of Delirium in Emergency Department Boarders Through Implementation of the Brief Confusion Assessment Method

Abstract

Delirium is an acute change in cognition characterized by altered attention, awareness, and fluctuating mental status. It is particularly prevalent among older adults and is associated with significant negative outcomes, including increased risk for falls, longer hospital length of stay, functional decline, and increased mortality (Inouye et al., 2014). Despite these consequences, delirium often remains unrecognized in emergency department patients due to inconsistent screening practices, competing clinical priorities, and the fast-paced nature of emergency care.