Delirium Unveiled: Bridging the Gap in Knowledge and Accurate Detection for Enhanced Nursing Care

Objective: This evidence-based practice (EBP) project aimed to address the critical challenge of delirium detection, prevention, and treatment within a healthcare organization. The primary objective was to evaluate the impact of an educational program with the integration of a screening tool on the nurses' understanding of delirium. Methods: Design. A repeated measure cross-sectional survey design with data collected at pre-intervention (T1), immediate post-intervention (T2), and 3 months post-intervention (T3) was employed. Setting. A suburban hospital within a multi-facility network on a 52-bed neuro-trauma-ortho unit. Participants. The target population was nurses working on the selected unit. Measurements. A nurse questionnaire for knowledge gained and retained. In addition, secondary measures of patient data on falls, restraints, length of stay, and discharge disposition. Intervention. A concise 10-minute in-person education session with the integration of the valid, reliable delirium screening tool into the electronic medical record (EMR). Results: Sixty nurses participated in this EBP project. There was a statistically significant knowledge improvement between pre-DKQ (T1) and immediate post-DKQ (T2) scores (T1 M = 25.60 [71%], T2 M = 30.37 [84%], p < .001). Seventeen nurses completed the 3-month post-DKQ (T3) surveys, demonstrating an average score of 31.29 [87%]. Delirium-positive patients were 60% (pre)/78% (post) of individuals restrained, and 57% (pre)/32% (post) of the unit falls. Conclusions: The concise, in-person education session was successful in improving and maintaining DKQ scores. This, paired with integrating a valid and reliable screening tool, is an effective and practical method for enhancing nurse delirium care.