delirium in intensive care wards: Improving quality the prevention and early detection of through use assessment tools

Standardised monitoring is essential for assessing organ function in intensive care units. Owing to medical advances, patients are living longer and, as a result of societal developments, are becoming more prone to illness. The monitoring of cognitive function in intensive care patients remains neglected to this day. Delirium is a form of cognitive impairment and must be recognised as a significant issue in intensive care units, as must quality management. This paper examines which assessment tools can be used to ensure the quality of care in the intensive care unit, using delirium as an example. The paper is based on a secondary analytical review. Assessment tools serve to objectively measure the severity of illness and make a significant contribution to quality assurance. Quality assurance is a crucial issue in intensive care units, and the implementation of assessment tools can help to save lives.