What is "ICU delirium"?

Looking closely at the concept may cause acute confusion

Critically ill patients are often confused, with or without agitation, and an abrupt change in mental status always deserves our close attention and care. As with any set of signs, we must first ask: what do they signify?

Psychiatric DSM-5 criteria define delirium as an impairment in attention and awareness that develops over a relatively short time inte…