Wards across RBWH celebrated World Delirium Day
Wednesday 14th March was World Delirium Awareness Day.
Delirium is a sudden change to a person’s mental state due to the physical effects of illness, injury, operation, medicines or other medical interventions, or drug or alcohol use or withdrawal, and affects around one in five hospitalised patients. People with delirium can experience frightening hallucinations and can struggle to communicate, trust the people caring for them, make decisions, manage distressing emotions, interpret their environment and care for themselves. Health care workers need to recognise patients with delirium, feel confident to provide the additional care and support they need, and work together to prevent delirium.
Despite the challenges of ex Tropical Cyclone Alfred, Cognitive Awareness team held an awareness stall to coincide with a Team Royal Food Truck event, as well as the inaugural ward display competition. The impact of the awareness stall has already become evident, with Suzi from OMG Donuts sharing how her newly acquired awareness of delirium helped her in her personal life.
“One week after I spoke with the staff at the delirium awareness stall, my mother was admitted to hospital interstate. She was not acting like herself, and thanks to my awareness of delirium, I was able to raise the alarm early with the medical team.”
11 wards participated in the ward display competition, with participating wards putting in a lot of effort to help bring awareness to this important topic. The wonderfully colourful and creative displays were accompanied by staff and patient activities throughout the day.
Congratulations to ward 8AN for taking out first prize, with 9BS coming in a very close second. An honourable mention also goes to 9AN and 9AS for their evidence based and informative displays. Thank you to all for your participation.