IMPACT OF DELIRIUM EDUCATION ON A POST-SURGICAL UNIT

1 online resource (69 pages) : PDF

2019

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Background: Delirium is a common issue experienced by many geriatric patients. However, it is often under-recognized and misdiagnosed by nurses resulting in the delay of treatment. The literature indicates that staff education is vital in delirium prevention and early identification. Aim: The purpose of this project was to determine whether the delirium education program increased nurses’ knowledge of delirium management and prevention. Method: A quasi-experiment with pre-test and post-test design was used to evaluate the effect of the intervention. A convenience sample of 65 nurses who work on two medical-surgical units at a large urban hospital participated in this study. Thirty-one participants worked on the control unit while 34 participants were from the intervention unit. The intervention group received a 30-minutes education session while the control group continued the routine care. Results: at baseline, both groups had some knowledge of delirium, but the difference was not statically significant. After the education program, the intervention group’s mean score was statistically significant (p < 0.00) and continued to retain the knowledge 3 months post-intervention (p < 0.038). Multiple linear regression was used to analyze confounding variables including NICHE training, education level, and years of nursing experience, which showed NICHE training was the only variable that was statically significant (p <0.23). As for the qualitative findings, three themes were identified including understand the risk factors, use non-pharmacological prevention and treatment strategies, and advocate for patients. Conclusion: The finding supported the use of delirium education as a mean to improve nurses’ knowledge of delirium prevention and management. However, continued education is essential to help nurses stay abreast with the information. Further investigation is needed to correlate of such program with clinical practice outcomes such as delirium incidence, LOS, and hospital-acquired complications

doctoral dissertations

Nursing

D.N.P.

Delirium Education
Delirium Prevention
Non-Pharmacological Intervention
Nursing Education

Health Services Research

Kazemi, Donna

Troutman-Jordan, Meredith
Ralyea, Tina (Christine)
Peterson, Nicole

Thesis (D.N.P.)--University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2019.

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BYRNES_uncc_0694D_11990

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13093/etd:2588