Evaluation of an Intervention With Nurses for Delirium Detection After Cardiac Surgery

ABSTRACT BackgroundCompletion of a delirium detection tool allows rapid management, which alleviates complications. However, these tools are often underused. AimsTo assess the effect of a knowledge transfer (KT) intervention on the completion of a delirium detection tool by nurses working with cardiac surgery patients. Secondary aims included describing completion rates per work shift, and patient characteristics associated with higher rates. MethodsIn a pre‐post study, the intervention included a survey and focus groups to identify barriers to use of a delirium detection tool (Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist [ICDSC]). Nurses’ suggestions for a KT activity and its implementation were also included. Using chi‐square analysis and medical charts from 242 patients, we compared the pre‐ and postintervention rates of completion of the ICDSC. ResultsThe majority of nurses who completed the survey (n = 30) felt they had the knowledge, skills, and intention to complete the ICDSC. During the focus groups (n = 4), a need for information on delirium symptoms and its management was raised as a barrier. This barrier was addressed with the selected KT activity (clinical capsule and aide‐memoire handed out to nurses [n = 24]). Across all work shifts, the completion rate was similar pre‐ and postintervention. Overall, the completion rate was lower during the day shift than the night and evening shifts. A higher rate was associated with the first three postoperative day...
Source: Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing - Category: Nursing Authors: Tags: Original Article Source Type: research