Abstract Background Studies have shown that delirium in medical and surgical intensive care units (ICUs) increases mortality, length of stay (LOS) as well as the risk of dementia symptoms and cerebral atrophy after discharge. Only few studies have investigated delirium in the neurointensive care unit (N-ICU). Delirium is most often assessed by one of two instruments: Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) or the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU).