Delirium and Agitation Management

Agitated behavior and delirium are common behavioral problems following acquired brain injury with a constellation of behaviors including restlessness, confusion, physical and verbal aggression, impulsivity, perceptual disturbances, and inattention. Agitation may result in harm to patients and caregivers and interfere with treatments which can increase acute hospital length of stay and delay inpatient rehabilitation impeding progress toward recovery and functional independence. Early interventions from the rehabilitation consultant with environmental modifications, identification of complications, and pharmacologic recommendations, help reduce agitated behavior and delirium to support and facilitate functional recovery.