ignores countless others who are at moderate risk, and who need
the same compassionate care during their recoveries.
Proactive approach
You can take steps to lessen the severity of delirium. During pre-op
assessments, clinic visits or during consent for surgery, educate at-
risk patients (and their family members) about what delirium is and
inform them that they might feel disoriented and confused, and might
have trouble focusing or concentrating after surgery. If they do feel
this way (or if family members notice these changes) after surgery,
they should tell their care providers right away.
Patients should focus on bolstering their health before the day of
surgery, including getting physical exercise, eating right and maintain-
ing a normal sleep cycle. They should get up and out of bed as soon
as possible after waking and engage the mind through constant con-
versation, game playing and reading. Family members can remind eld-
erly patients about the date and time, and reminisce with them about
past life events.
On the day of surgery, let patients keep their eyeglasses, hearing
aids and dentures until just before anesthesia induction and return
the items as soon as possible in the PACU. Those personal items
keep patients orientated to their surroundings by letting them see,
hear and communicate clearly. Ask patients for a list of their favorite
songs before surgery and play the familiar tunes in recovery to reori-
ent them to their surroundings. A proactive approach to recovery
includes getting out of bed as soon as possible and taking frequent
walks, remaining active and mobile. Keeping the mind active through
frequent conversation and engagement is an important piece of deliri-
um prevention. All of these interventions prevent delirium and also
help reduce delirium severity. After discharge, patients should main-
Anesthesia Alert
AA
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