The Importance of Postoperative Delirium (POD) on Elderly Patients in Urology in Increasing the Day Stay in Hospital

Introduction and Objectives: The Postoperative delirium on elderly patients (P.O.D.) is a frequent post operative disorder in sick and elderly patients, and always has been associated with prolongation of day stay in hospital, and certainly more cost for the hospital as well.

The Postoperative delirium on elderly patients causes an increased mortality and an increasing of mental status deterioration characterized by reduction of environmental recognition as well as the disorder of alertness.

This study is accomplished by Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy Service of the Urology Clinic of the University Hospital Center ` Mother Theresa`, Tirana, Albania.

The purpose of this study is to reveal the importance of Postoperative delirium on elderly patients (POD) admitted in Urologic Clinic, and impact of this complication on the day stay in hospital.

Materials and Methods: In this study are included 1496 patients aged over 65 years who underwent an operation at the urologic clinic. Period of study: from January 2010 to December 2012.

This study is prospective and random. All patients with psychological problems in admission and that were treated for these pathologies before admission in Urology Clinic are excluded from the study.

The effectiveness of routine screening of Postoperative Delirium in the elderly patients using Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) from Psychiatrists, were not necessary in these cases.

Results: Are evaluated all the data taken from patients and from their examinations as: age, usage of medications, symptoms, biochemical analysis, clinical balance, hemodynamic examinations, and preoperative, intra operative and postoperative evaluations.

In 1496 patients, 270 of them (18%) had of Postoperative Delirium in the elderly patients (POD). On the average, patients with delirium stayed in the hospital more than patients without delirium with a significant statistical difference between them t=5.12 p<0.01.

On the average, the patients with of Postoperative Delirium in the elderly patients (POD), stayed in the hospital more than the patients without delirium with a significant statistical difference between them ANOVA F=26.2 P<0.01.

Conclusion: From this study, even though small in number and short in time, it is evidently noticed that Postoperative Delirium in the elderly patients in urology has an important influence in the prolongation of the day stay in hospital. (ANOVA F=26.2 P<0.01).