Presentation ID #14: Click here to view presentation.
Purpose: The purpose of this project was to evaluate the effect of structured delirium education on nursing knowledge, recognition, and management of delirium.
Background: Postoperative delirium is a common cognitive complication characterized by an abrupt disturbance in cognition after surgery. Patients with this complication can experience increased healthcare costs, increased length of stay, and lasting cognitive impairment. Although nurses play a critical role in recognizing delirium, it remains under-recognized and poorly managed, emphasizing the need for improved delirium recognition and management strategies.
Methods: This quality-improvement project utilized the Nurses’ Delirium Knowledge Assessment (NDKA) tool, a 36-item scale divided into three subscales, to evaluate medical-surgical nurses’ knowledge before and immediately following the implementation of an on-demand web-based delirium education module. Assessment scores were evaluated pre-and post-education and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to detect significant changes.
Results: Sixteen nurses participated in the project. Overall mean scores improved from 67.99% on the pre-assessment to 81.84% on the post-assessment. Subscale mean scores also improved and were as follows: knowledge of assessment tools and scales 71.84% pre and 87.5% post, general knowledge of delirium 75.89% pre and 85.71% post, and risk factors for delirium 56.25% pre and 72.32% post.
Conclusion: The educational intervention provided in this project increased nurses’ knowledge and recognition of delirium, validating similar findings in the literature. An educational intervention delivered via electronic format is an effective method to provide delirium education to nurses. Improving nursing knowledge of delirium is essential in improving patient outcomes.
Keywords: Delirium, Nurse Knowledge
Latasia Belin has been a nurse for 11 years, with 6 years as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Francis Marion University and her Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration of Clinical Nurse Specialist from East Carolina University. Her clinical expertise includes caring for adult orthopedic and surgical patients. Clinical interests include evidence-based practices, quality improvement, health literacy, post-surgical outcomes, and delirium. Currently, she is a CNS at Atrium Health Mercy. Her plan for the DNP is to explore growth opportunities and expand in her role as a CNS.