This study by Leslie et al. (2008) examines the one-year health care costs associated with delirium in elderly patients. The research involved 841 individuals who participated in a controlled trial of a delirium prevention intervention at an academic medical center between 1995 and 1998. The study found that patients who developed delirium during their hospitalization had significantly higher unadjusted health care costs and survived fewer days compared to those who did not develop delirium. After adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics, the average costs per day survived among patients with delirium were more than 2.5 times higher than those without delirium. The total cost estimates attributable to delirium ranged from $16,303 to $64,421 per patient, implying that the national burden of delirium on the health care system ranges from $38 billion to $152 billion each year. The study highlights the substantial economic impact of delirium and underscores the need for increased efforts to mitigate this condition.This study by Leslie et al. (2008) examines the one-year health care costs associated with delirium in elderly patients. The research involved 841 individuals who participated in a controlled trial of a delirium prevention intervention at an academic medical center between 1995 and 1998. The study found that patients who developed delirium during their hospitalization had significantly higher unadjusted health care costs and survived fewer days compared to those who did not develop delirium. After adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics, the average costs per day survived among patients with delirium were more than 2.5 times higher than those without delirium. The total cost estimates attributable to delirium ranged from $16,303 to $64,421 per patient, implying that the national burden of delirium on the health care system ranges from $38 billion to $152 billion each year. The study highlights the substantial economic impact of delirium and underscores the need for increased efforts to mitigate this condition.