EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AN EDUCATION INTERVENTION ON DELIRIUM ASSESSMENT ON NURSES WORKING IN ICUs

Dr. Sheeja C. V.* and Theertha P. Krishnan

ABSTRACT

Background: Delirium is a serious disturbance in mental abilities that results in confused thinking and reduced awareness of environment. The onset of delirium episode is usually rapid within hours or gradually with few days. Assessment and prevention of delirium should occur at admission and continue throughout the hospital stay of patients. Multidisciplinary collaboration and interdisciplinary team work would reduce incidence of delirium in ICUs. The interventional strategies such as repeated reorientation, early mobilization and removal of catheters would enhance prevention of Delirium. Method: Quantitative Research Approach with One group pre-test - post-test design was used. 40 staff nurses were selected by using Purposive sampling. Knowledge, Screening practice and Perception of Nurses working in ICU on delirium was measured by structured questionnaire. Education Intervention regarding ICU Delirium Screening instrument was given to staff nurses for 30 minutes. Posttest was measured by same tool on 8th day of intervention. Results: The pre-test score was for knowledge 6.40 ± 2.18, perception 42.73 ± 5.46 and Screening Practice 15.38 ± 2.63 respectively. The main effect between pretest and posttest measurement for Knowledge, Screening Practice and Perception was found to be (t’ test = 9.79* for knowledge, t’ test = 11.18* for screening practice, and t’ test = 9.83*for perception, p<0.001,) statistically significant at 0.05 level. There exists a significant difference in the scores of staff nurses between different measurement period. So null hypothesis is fully rejected. Discussion: Present study reveals education intervention improved the Knowledge, Screening practice and Perception of staff nurses working in ICU. Successful delirium screening implementation is possible with adequate knowledge on delirium screening instrument among all healthcare members.

Keywords: Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU - (CAM-ICU), Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist - (ICDSC), ICU – Intensive Care Unit.