Delirium Project

The last year was spent conducting research gauging the nurses attitudes and beliefs about Delirium in our ICU patients.  I did this research with two co-workers, my charge nurse Shelly and fellow nurse Jodi.  We also had lots of help from our Clinical Nurse Specialist, Kari. 

We conducted a pre-survey, rolled out education and then a post survey to evaluate if there were any changes in their beliefs and practice.  

Surprisingly, we saw change!  The nurses are now using the word delirium, more conscious about dementia vs delirium vs another underlying problem and using the appropriate medication to help relieve symptoms of delirium.  For example, using Haldol vs Ativan.  They are also quick to mobilize their patients and try and get them out of the ICU and to the floor where it is quieter, less intrusive and closer to home!  We also saw 155 days without any falls in our unit after the education was rolled out.

One of our Trauma Surgeons, Dr. Justiniano, is a huge proponent of delirium prevention and he gave an excellent talk about delirium.  The head Trauma Surgeon, Dr. Mangram, is also very keen to treat patients over the age of 60 (and those susceptible to delirium because of age) quickly and appropriately for their age. 

In the meantime, we have presented at two conferences and won an award at one of the conferences.  Also, two days ago, we found out that we won a $10,000 grant for our research and its benefit to increasing patient safety!

All very cool things and hopefully it all keeps patients safe in the end.