Optimiertes Delirmanagement im psychiatrischen Konsiliardienst im Versorgungskrankenhaus

In comparison with predominantly somatic cases, the literature describes a clearly negative effect in somatic-psychiatric comorbidity. The length of stay, the probability of readmission, mortality and the need for care are affected. It was investigated whether an improvement in the mental state and the somatic course of the disease can be achieved through the standardized use of psychiatric interventions. We worked on this together with the infectious disease intensive care unit (ICU, C11) of the 4th medical department for infectious and tropical medicine at the Favoriten Hospital (Viennese Health Association). In the context of the acute phase of the treatment of COVID-19 pneumonia and the associated internal medicine management, a critical point was the occurrence of delirium. This critical phase should be accompanied quickly and successfully by the help of a psychiatric intervention protocol specifically aimed at identifying delirium and specifically defined reactions. As a result, there was an improvement regarding the quality of delirium management, the degree of severity of the observed delirium could be reduced and a more acceptable design of the delirium syndrome could be achieved for those affected. The regularly applied measures of the protocol could lead to an increase in efficiency. This was also reflected in a decrease in the frequency of psychiatric consultations. The time freed up could be used to meet the needs of other departments without having to make new human resources available.