The Development of a Mental Status Vital Sign for Use Across the Spectrum of Care

Delirium represents a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among elderly patients and is estimated to occur in 15% to 56% in long-term care and postacute care settings, 14% to 24% of medical patients,³ and 70% to 83% of intensive care unit (ICU) patients.⁴ Delirium is associated with increased morbidity, mortality,³ and cost.⁷ Clinicians and nurses frequently fail to recognize and monitor for delirium. Delayed or missed identification of delirium and thus delayed treatment of the underlying causative factors is believed to be the reason for the increased morbidity and mortality.⁵ Current models of care focused on prevention and management of delirium are founded on the basic tenant that frequent assessment and monitoring of mental status is important. As a result, there is urgent need for a method for systematically and objectively measuring mental status: a mental status vital sign.

Keywords: Mental Status, vital sign, delirium