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A questionnaire to determine nurses' knowledge of delirium and its risk factors
Malcolm Hare
Acting Nurse Manager, Informatics Support Nursing Research, Evaluation & Informatics, Fremantle Hospital, Fremantle; Research Associate, Curtin University of Technology, Perth WA
Dianne Wynaden
School of Nursing, Curtin University of Technology, Perth; Directorate of Mental Health, Fremantle Hospital and Health Service, WA
Sunita McGowan
Director, Nursing Research and Evaluation, Fremantle Hospital and Health Service; Adjunct Research Fellow, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Curtin University of Technology, Perth WA
Ian Landsborough
Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Curtin University of Technology, Perth WA
Gaye Speed
Nurse Consultant Clinical Improvement, Fremantle Hospital; Adjunct Senior Research Associate, Curtin University of Technology, Perth WA
Abstract
Delirium is a frequent complication of hospital admission, especially among the elderly. It can have serious consequences in terms of morbidity, mortality and decreased quality of life.
Nevertheless, an extensive literature review found that it is poorly recognised and poorly managed by medical and nursing staff. Although some researchers have found that education programs for nurses can improve outcomes for patients with delirium, no research assessing nurses’ knowledge was found.
The objective of this research was to determine nurses’ level of knowledge regarding delirium and its risk factors. A questionnaire survey sent to nurses at a teaching hospital found that nurse’s knowledge of delirium was generally inadequate, although one ward which had had in-service education attained better results.
It is recommended that cognitive assessment in general and delirium in particular be incorporated into nursing education. Improved education could potentially lead to improved health outcomes and considerable cost savings.
Keywords
nurse, nursing, delirium, acute confusion, education, elder care
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