Keeping patients in bed has numerous downstream effects that may contribute to delirium.
It makes infections more likely (urinary tract, pneumonia).
It promotes constipation. This too may lead to agitation.
It makes patients restless and thus more easily agitated.
People who stay in bed are likely to sleep during the day and be wakeful at night leading to requests for sedatives that contribute to delirium.
It is more difficult to eat in bed so nutrition is sometimes impaired.
|
-
Get your older patients out of bed!
|
