Delirium Care Pathways

A resident's journey for use in residential care

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To view and print the flowchart as a PDF file, click here: A resident's journey for use in residential care (PDF 708 KB).
To view and print the flowchart as an image, click here: A resident's journey for use in residential care (JPG 142 KB).

A resident's journey for use in residential care

Conduct baseline cognitive assessment (refer to page 3) or the service preferred at the commencement of service provision. Use the assessments or screens as used in own facilities/services or other relevant materials.

Risk screen completed with resident (refer to page 4), including consultation with family/carer. Screen for delirium (refer to page 7).
If not, refer to preventative strategies on page 5.

If the screen for delirium is conducted, consider clinical issues such as signs of infection, constipation, dehydration, pain, or new medications;

have discussions with resident and/or family/carer;

refer to advanced care plan; and

consider who is consenting to care.

Call GP to diagnose delirium (refer to page 8 to 10). If not, refer to preventative strategies on page 5.

If the call to a GP is made to diagnosis delirium, treat with facility protocol or treatment recommended by GP;

educate family/carer or relevant staff (refer to page 14); and

consider using an interpreter.

Is the delirium problematic?
If no, refer to preventative strategies on page 5.

If the delirium is problematic, is there a GP, acute care advice line or local aged services?
If yes, contact GP, acute care advice line or local aged services. If not, refer to Emergency Department.

Handover care if required, follow local protocol/policy; and ensure that staff and patient/client/family/carer aware you need to be informed of discharge plans.

* To use assessments or screens as used in own facilities/services or other relevant material.

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