Delirium in Acute Care: Occupational Therapists’ Perspectives, Experiences, and Practice Implications

The prevalence of delirium places assessment, prevention, and management (APM) at the forefront of occupational therapy intervention in acute care. This qualitative descriptive feasibility study examined occupational therapists’ perceptions of APM in acute care settings in the Pacific Northwest. In a convenience sample, 25 of 46 (62%) participants returned surveys addressing roles, assessment, intervention, barriers, recommendations, and preparedness. Data revealed opportunities for improving practice consistent with those reported in the current literature. Education emerged as a theme from the data across roles, strategies for prevention and management, barriers to implementation, and means to improve site-specific APM services. Authors recommend additional education and research expanded to additional geographic and practice settings.