E. Wesley Ely

E. Wesley Ely is a prominent American physician, researcher, and author specializing in pulmonary medicine and critical care medicine. He is best known for his extensive research and contributions to the understanding and management of delirium in critically ill patients.

Early Life and Education

Ely was born and raised in the United States. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Vanderbilt University, where he developed an interest in medicine. He then went on to earn his medical degree from the Tulane University School of Medicine. Following his graduation, Ely completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of Virginia Health System.

Career

Ely is currently a professor of medicine and critical care at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He is also the co-director of the Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction, and Survivorship (CIBS) Center, a research center dedicated to improving the care and outcomes of critically ill patients.

Ely's research primarily focuses on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of delirium in the intensive care unit (ICU). He has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on the subject, and his work has significantly influenced clinical practice guidelines for managing delirium in the ICU.

Contributions to Medicine

Ely has made significant contributions to the field of critical care medicine, particularly in the understanding and management of delirium. His research has led to the development of the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU), a widely used tool for diagnosing delirium in critically ill patients. Ely's work has also highlighted the importance of early mobilization in improving patient outcomes in the ICU.

Awards and Recognition

Ely's contributions to medicine have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. He is a fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians and the American Thoracic Society, and he has received the American Delirium Society's Lifetime Achievement Award for his work on delirium in the ICU.

Publications

Ely has authored and co-authored numerous publications in prestigious medical journals. Some of his most notable works include "The Impact of Delirium in the Intensive Care Unit on Hospital Length of Stay" and "Delirium as a Predictor of Mortality in Mechanically Ventilated Patients in the Intensive Care Unit".