Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects
Title
eLearning Module for Nursing Students to Improve Delirium Identification, Prevention, and Management
Access Control
Open Access
Embargo Period
4-21-2021
Degree Program
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Degree Track
Family Nurse Practioner
Year Degree Awarded
2021
Month Degree Awarded
May
Keywords
delirium, nursing education, delirium prevention, delirium education, delirium assessment, quality improvement
Advisor
Erin Lamoureux, PhD, RN, GCNS-BC
DNP Project Chair
Erin Lamoureux, PhD, RN, GCNS-BC
DNP Project Member Name
Pamela Aselton, PhD, MPH, FNP-BC
Abstract
Background and Review of Literature: Delirium is a serious, acute alteration in cognition and consciousness, which is common amongst older hospitalized patients and has an overwhelmingly negative impact on patient outcomes. Under-recognition by healthcare providers poses a barrier and contributes to poor patient outcomes, including increased morbidity and mortality.
Purpose: To reduce the incidence of delirium amongst acutely ill patients via internet-based education for student nurses on delirium prevention, assessment, and management.
Methods: An eLearning intervention consisting of a virtual lecture with an unfolding case study for undergraduate nursing students. This project utilized the Nurses’ Delirium Knowledge Assessment (NDKA) tool to evaluate participant knowledge before and immediately following the educational intervention.
Results: Thirteen students participated in the study. Overall mean scores improved from 52.5% on the pre-assessment to 78.5% on the post-assessment. Subscale mean scores for general knowledge of delirium improved from 62.1% pre-education to 87.2% post-education. Risk factor knowledge improved from 42.3% pre-education to 69.2% post-education. Statistical significance (p < .001) was noted in both the overall and knowledge sub-scale mean score differences. Conclusion: The educational intervention provided in this study increased nurses’ knowledge and recognition of delirium, validating similar findings in the literature. An educational intervention delivered via electronic format is an effective method to provide delirium education to nurses. Improving nursing knowledge of delirium is essential in improving patient outcomes.
Keywords: nursing education, nurse education, continuing education, training program, training, nursing instruction, delirium, ICU confusion, intensive care unit confusion.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Included in
Critical Care Commons, Critical Care Nursing Commons, Geriatric Nursing Commons, Interprofessional Education Commons, Online and Distance Education Commons, Other Nursing Commons, Quality Improvement Commons