The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of in-facility multi-component delirium prevention programs.

The team conducted a search of six databases (including MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL) throughout September 2012. Randomised controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, interrupted time series, and controlled before–after studies with a prospective post intervention portion, were eligible for inclusion.

The evidence from the 19 studies that met the inclusion criteria suggests that most multi-component interventions are effective in preventing onset of delirium in at-risk patients in a hospital setting. Evidence was insufficient to determine the benefit of such programmes in other care settings.