Negative Studies Should Inform Our Research and Care: Engaging Family Members in the Care of the Critically Ill

ICU delirium is a deleterious and pervasive complication of critical illness, occurring in up to 80% of ICU patients ([1]). The reader should conclude from the study by Fiest et al ([11]) that, at this time, the family administered delirium screening tools FAM-CAM and Sour Seven should not replace intensivist administered CAM-ICU or ICDSC. We should understand that the diagnosis of delirium is difficult even with medical training; the recognition of acute delirium may be best identified through individuals most familiar with the patient, albeit with some tools and training. In summary, Fiest et al ([11]) are to be commended on performing a sizable study among critically ill patients to assess the test characteristics of two novel family administered delirium screening tools, the FAM-CAM and Sour Seven. [Extracted from the article]