Does this critically ill patient with delirium require any drug treatment?

Excerpt

Delirium is a severe and frequent condition that occurs in 20–40% of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), with higher rates of 60–80% described in mechanically ventilated patients. The accumulated evidence in the past decades demonstrates that delirium is clearly associated with hospital mortality, lengths of stay, duration of mechanical ventilation and costs [1, 2]. Moreover, the presence of delirium and its duration and severity are risk factors for long-term cognitive impairment in patients surviving critical illness [1]. Although agitated (hyperactive) delirium attracts the intensivist's attention and frequently requires interventions to prevent self-harm and control the symptoms, the hypoactive and mixed forms are extremely common and frequently associated with poor outcomes. However, to correctly diagnose patients with delirium regardless of its presentation form, it is mandatory to use valid and reproducible screening tools such as the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU) and Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC). …