%0 Journal Article
%T Recognition of delirium in ICU patients: a diagnostic study of the NEECHAM confusion scale in ICU patients
%A Henny EM Immers
%A Marieke J Schuurmans
%A Jaap J van de Bijl
%J BMC Nursing
%D 2005
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1472-6955-4-7
%X In this study validity and reliability were tested in a prospective cohort of 105 patients. Gold standard for delirium was an independent DSM-IV diagnosis. User friendliness was tested by structured evaluation of nurses' experiences working with the scale.The NEECHAM confusion scale showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.88) and an interrater reliability of Cohen's Kappa 0.60. The concurrent validity with the DSM-IVcriteria showed a strong link (chi-square 67.52, p [less than or equal to] 0.001). Sensitivity was high, 97% and specificity was good 83%. ICU nurses completed the NEECHAM confusion rating in 3.69, ¡À 1.21 minutes average. In general the nurses were positive about the NEECHAM confusion scale. They were able to collect data during regular care, but experienced problems in rating the scale in intubated patients. The items in themselves were clear, the content validity, measured by the language used was rated good.The psychometric characteristics of the NEECHAM confusion scale of this ICU study are generally consistent with validity research previously reported for the general hospital population. The psychometric characteristics and the ease of use of the NEECHAM confusion scale enables ICU nurses to early recognize delirium. Further study, especially in intubed patients is recommended.Delirium is a serious, high frequency complication in intensive care unit (ICU) patients (incidence: 40¨C82%) [1-5], being defined as a transient organic mental syndrome characterised by a disturbance in awareness, cognition and attention [6]. These disturbances are frequently manifested in expressions of disorientation, memory impairment, disturbance in mental processes, motor unrest, sleep problems, anxiety and agitation. Abrupt onset and fluctuation of the symptoms are characteristic, and onset frequently occurs from within a few hours to a few days of hospital admission. Symptoms of delirium can present differently: in a hyperactive/hyper-alert form, a hypoact
%U http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6955/4/7