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Elderly patients are at risk for delirium during hospitalizations or prolonged emergency department (ED) stays. To determine whether uncontrolled pain or opioid use increases risk, researchers prospectively enrolled patients aged ≥65 years from four Canadian EDs. All patients had spent at least 8 hours in the ED, were awaiting hospital admission, and were independent or semi-independent. Palliative or intensive care admission, psychiatric illness, baseline delirium, and long-term care were exclusions.
Cognitive status, pain intensity, and environmental factors (e.g., room lighting, restraints, catheters) were collected at baseline and twice daily up to 24 hours after admission. Delirium was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method. Sev…