Delirium postoperatorio: Una ventana hacia una mejoría de la calidad y seguridad en la atención de pacientes quirúrgicos

postoperative delirium or acute confusional state is a common complication among older subjects. many factors influence its appearance, such as preexistent problems of the patient, medication use, pain, the perioperative anesthetic management and the intensity of the inflammatory reaction to surgical trauma. its consequences are a longer hospital stay, higher risk of complications and a long term derangement of functional status and cognitive performance. the management of delirium is multifactorial, including the avoidance of precipitating factors, the maintenance of an adequate environment and the conscious use of neuroleptics. the prevention of delirium should be a priority that will improve health care standards.