Recognizing Intensive Care Unit Delirium: Are Critical Care Nurses Ready?

BACKGROUND

Delirium remains significantly undetected in the intensive care unit (ICU). Little is known regarding the level of delirium care knowledge among critical care nurses in Taiwan.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate the level of knowledge about delirium care among critical care nurses using a multiple-choice question quiz.

METHODS

A descriptive, cross-sectional approach was used, and data were collected using a web-based survey. The demographic characteristics including age, years worked as critical care nurse, gender, advanced ICU training, educational level, and type of ICU, along with a delirium care knowledge quiz, were collected. The quiz consisted of 16 items measuring (a) symptoms, types, and outcomes; (b) high-risk groups; (c) predisposing and precipitating factors; and (d) assessment and detection of delirium. Data were collected between October 6 and November 16, 2020.

RESULTS

In total, 324 critical care nurses completed the survey. The rate of correct response on the delirium care quiz for each domain was measured: (a) symptoms, types, and outcomes: 67.1%; (b) high-risk groups: 76.2%; (c) predisposing and precipitating factors: 78.9%; and (d) assessment and detection: 41.5%. The item with the lowest correct response rate was related to the interpretation of delirium assessments.

CONCLUSION/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The findings of this study suggest that future studies and education should focus on the use and interpretation of the assessment using a valid delirium assessment tool to improve the ability of critical care nurses to detect delirium in ICU settings.