Altered mental status in older emergency department patients.

Altered mental status in older emergency department patients.

Wilber Scott T

Emergency medicine clinics of North America

2006

2006-05

This article reviews the significance of altered mental status in older emergency department patients. Specific diagnoses are discussed, including delirium, stupor and coma, and dementia, with a focus on delirium. Finally, an approach to all older patients is suggested that should result in increased clinician comfort with older patients, improved ability to communicate with other physicians, increased quality of care, and improved patient and family satisfaction.

Aged; Emergency Service; Hospital/*statistics & numerical data; Humans; Incidence; Mental Disorders/diagnosis/*epidemiology; Mental Status Schedule; United States/epidemiology

Article information provided for research and reference use only. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).

299–316, vi

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