Abstract
Delirium is common in general hospitals and increases morbidity and mortality. This study evaluates how preoperative psychiatric intervention for esophageal cancer affects the incidence and courses of delirium. We also present recent information about the prediction and prevention for delirium. Our intervention reduced the incidence rate and severity of delirium, although their changes were not statistically significant. The insufficiency of the effect of our intervention was considered to be due to the fact that we simply provided the medical staff the information about the risk of delirium. We did not provide guidance for non-pharmacological treatment, which consequently resulted in an inconsistent approach with patients. This study suggests that educating medical staff and standardizing the care for patients are important for the prevention of delirium.
