(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The Peninsula
Doha: Hamad Medical Corporation's (HMC) Department of Geriatrics and Long-Term Care continues to lead efforts to educate healthcare staff, patients, carers, and family members about the signs of delirium to enable prompt medical assessment and treatment to be administered and perhaps reduce associated morbidity and mortality.
Delirium is a state of confusion that often occurs in older adults or individuals with underlying medical conditions, and it can cause a range of symptoms, including disorientation, hallucinations, and agitation, which can be fatal in severe cases. Research indicates that delirium affects approximately 25 percent of Medical Inpatients, 50 percent of Surgery Patients, and 75 percent of Intensive Care Patients.
Dr. Abdulla Al Ansari, Chief Medical Officer at HMC, who toured the educational display in Hamad General Hospital welcomed the efforts of Dr. Hanadi Al Hamad and her team to provide education to patients and visitors.
“This is a very important issue for our clinical staff. Early recognition and treatment require close patient monitoring, and education is key to ensure all our staff are alert to the possibility of delirium in vulnerable patients. The work of Dr. Hanadi and her team will help our clinicians to ensure they are providing the best of care to patients at risk of delirium.”
Mariam Al Mutawa, Acting Chief Nursing Officer at HMC, said that nursing staff plays a significant role in preventing and managing delirium. She said:“Delirium is a sign that the patient is not well and needs investigation and appropriate treatment. To reduce the impact of delirium, early detection is essential, and as delirium is often first detected by nurses, they are integral to providing nonpharmacological and environmental interventions, such as cognitive assessment, providing orientation for the patient to recognise their environment, and giving them comfort to help aid sleep. With support from Dr. Hanadi and her team, our frontline nurses are receiving important training not only about delirium but also other conditions more common among older patients.”
Dr. Hanadi Al Hamad, who is the chairperson of the Department of Geriatrics and Long-Term Care and Medical Director at Rumailah Hospital and Qatar Rehabilitation Institute, explained that delirium is a serious medical condition that affects millions of people worldwide.“There are several things that individuals and healthcare professionals can do to reduce the risk of delirium, including managing underlying medical conditions, avoiding certain medications, staying hydrated, and ensuring a patient's environment is quiet and comfortable. If delirium does occur, it is essential to seek medical attention promptly, as early treatment can improve outcomes.”
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