Resource impact statement
No significant resource impact is anticipated
The NICE guideline on delirium: prevention, diagnosis and management was published in 2010 and further updated in 2019 and 2023.
The 2023 update reviewed the evidence on assessing and diagnosing delirium.
We do not expect this update to have a significant impact on resources; that is:
- the resource impact of implementing any single guideline recommendation in England will be less than £1 million per year (or approximately £1,800 per 100,000 population, based on a population for England of 56.3 million people) and
- the resource impact of implementing the whole guideline in England will be less than £5 million per year (or approximately £9,000 per 100,000 population, based on a population for England of 56.3 million people).
Where clinical practice changes as a result of this update, there will not be a significant change in resource use.
The update has 3 new recommendations on recording changes that indicate delirium, using assessment tools to diagnose delirium, and having a diagnosis of delirium confirmed by a specialist with relevant expertise.
The assessment tools that are recommended are quick and simple to use and specifically designed for the defined settings, and are already commonly used in these settings. Additionally allowing the assessment, using the tool, to be carried out by a healthcare practitioner instead of a healthcare professional may free up some specialist capacity. Any cost of increased diagnoses of delirium is likely to be offset by savings and benefits. There is usually no treatment for delirium and it is usually cured by treating the underlying cause such as dehydration or infection, but being aware of the presence of delirium can improve care.
Services for people with delirium may be commissioned by integrated care systems, NHS England and local authorities. Providers are NHS hospital trusts, community providers, care homes and primary care providers.
ISBN: 978-1-4731-4976-2
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