Prevention and management of postoperative delirium among older patients on an orthopedic surgical unit: a best practice implementation project

Managing delirium in acute inpatient units: A cross-sectional study of nursing teams' knowledge and perceived limitations

AIM

The aim of the study was to describe nursing teams' theoretical knowledge of delirium and their perceptions of the way in which it is handled in acute inpatient units.

DESIGN

This is a descriptive cross-sectional study using a questionnaire comprising ten questions on knowledge and seven on perception.

METHODS

The sample consisted of 216 professionals working at a hospital complex in Madrid, Spain. Descriptive and non-parametric bivariate analyses were performed for a p < .05.

RESULTS

Fifty-three point two per cent of staff possessed sufficient theoretical knowledge, and this figure rose significantly among professionals with more years of experience. Areas for improvement in theoretical knowledge included the use of therapeutic immobilization, screening scale, subtypes of delirium and precipitating factors. Sixty-eight point five per cent of staff perceived their knowledge as fair, 50% agreed that delirium was underdiagnosed and 48.1% agreed that preventive measures were only occasionally taken. Perceived barriers included lack of training, work overload, ineffective coordination and lack of standardized protocols.

JBI's approach to evidence implementation: a 7-phase process model to support and guide getting evidence into practice

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we provide an overview of JBI's approach to evidence implementation and describe the supporting process model that aligns with this approach. The central tenets of JBI's approach to implementing evidence into practice include the use of evidence-based audit and feedback, identification of the context in which evidence is being implemented, facilitation of any change, and an evaluation process. A pragmatic and practical seven-phased approach is outlined to assist with the 'planning' and 'doing' of getting evidence into practice, focusing on clinicians as change agents for implementing evidence in clinical and policy settings. Further research and development is required to formally evaluate the robustness of the approach to better understand the complex nature of evidence implementation.

Integration of family caregivers in delirium prevention care for hospitalized older adults: A case study analysis

AIM

To understand how family caregivers of older adults hospitalized for orthopaedic surgery are integrated by nurses in delirium prevention care.

DESIGN

Multiple case study.

METHODS

The sample consisted of eight cases. Each case comprised an older adult, a family caregiver, and a nurse. Data were collected from September 2017 - April 2018 through various instruments, including semi-structured interviews and family caregiver logs. Within- and across-case analyses were conducted, based on the model of The Care Partner Engagement developed by Hill, Yevchak, Gilmore-Bykovskyi, & Kolanowski (Geriatric Nursing, 35, 2014, 272).

RESULTS

Two themes emerged: (a) family caregivers were engaged in caring for the older adults during their hospital stay, though they had differences in terms of views and needs; and (b) family caregivers communicated with nurses but nurses did not recognize their role and did not integrate them much in care.

CONCLUSION

The presence and availability of family caregivers, their sense of responsibility towards the hospitalized older adults, and their positive effects on them suggest that family caregivers could be integrated more systematically in a care partnership with nurses. Poor integration of family caregivers in delirium prevention care shows that nurse delirium prevention competencies and their relational skills for communicating effectively with family caregivers need to be developed further.

IMPACT

Integrating family caregivers in delirium prevention care for older adults is a challenge for nurses. Family caregivers are engaged during the hospitalization of older adults, though differences and problems exist between the two groups. While there is communication between patients, family caregivers, and nurses, nurses do not recognize the role of family caregivers and hardly integrated them in the delirium prevention care of hospitalized older adults. Nurses must adopt a patient- and family-centred approach. Care and training facilities must make resources available to implement this approach in nursing practice.

Understanding the integration of family caregivers in delirium prevention care for hospitalized older adults: A case study protocol

AIM

To understand family caregiver involvement in delirium prevention care for older adults hospitalized for orthopaedic surgery hospitals and family caregiver integration by nurses.

DESIGN

Multiple-case study.

METHODS

The model of Care Partner Engagement was selected as theoretical framework. Eight cases will comprise an older adult hospitalized a family caregiver and a ward nurse. They will be recruited with a non-probability sampling on two orthopaedic surgery wards in two hospitals. Semi-structured interviews with participants will be audiotaped. Sociodemographic data will be collected. These data, researcher field notes and interview transcripts will be subjected to within- and across-case thematic analysis. Regional ethics committee approved the study protocol in August 2018.

DISCUSSION

The study will allow surgical nursing teams to gain a better understanding of the issues and possibilities regarding family caregiver integration in delirium prevention care for older adults.

Geriatric Delirium Care: Using Chart Audits to Target Improvement Strategies

Background

Our hospital identified delirium care as a quality improvement target. Baseline characterization of our delirium care and deficits was needed to guide improvement efforts.

Methods

Two inpatient units were selected: 1) A general internal medicine unit with a focus on geriatrics, and 2) a surgical unit. Retrospective chart audits were conducted for all patients over age 50 admitted during a one-month period to compare delirium care with best practice guideline (BPG) recommendations, and to determine the incidence of missed cases of delirium and negative outcomes in patients with delirium. The aim was to gather local data to prioritize improvement efforts and mobilize stakeholders.

Results

186 charts were reviewed: 17 patients had physician-diagnosed delirium, 21 patients had missed delirium, and 148 patients had no delirium. Compliance with delirium BPGs was variable, but generally poor. There was a trend towards missed delirium and physician-diagnosed delirium being associated with greater odds of having above-median length of stay and lower odds of discharge home compared to no delirium diagnosis.

Conclusion

Overall, the chart audits confirmed delirium underrecognition and poor adherence to best practices in delirium management. Granular analysis of this data was used to mobilize stakeholders and prioritize improvement plans.

Evidence-Based Practice in Perianesthesia Nursing: Application of the American Geriatrics Society Clinical Practice Guideline for Postoperative Delirium in Older Adults

Delirium is a pervasive and dangerous syndrome for older adults in the perianesthesia setting, occurring in up to 60% of surgical cases. The American Geriatrics Society performed a systematic review to develop recommendations for the prevention and management of postoperative delirium in older adults. The recommendations emphasize nonpharmacologic interventions with a strong focus on reducing the use of psychoactive medication. Perianesthesia nurses can serve as leaders in translating these recommendations into evidence-based practice at the bedside for older adults.

Preparing Family Caregivers to Recognize Delirium Symptoms in Older Adults After Elective Hip or Knee Arthroplasty

OBJECTIVES

To test the feasibility of a telephone-based intervention that prepares family caregivers to recognize delirium symptoms and how to communicate their observations to healthcare providers.

DESIGN

Mixed-method, pre-post quasi-experimental design.

SETTING

A Midwest Veterans Affairs Medical Center and a nonprofit health system.

PARTICIPANTS

Forty-one family caregiver-older adult dyads provided consent; 34 completed the intervention.

INTERVENTION

Four telephone-based education modules using vignettes were completed during the 3 weeks before the older adult's hospital admission for elective hip or knee replacement. Each module required 20 to 30 minutes.

MEASUREMENTS

Interviews were conducted before the intervention and 2 weeks and 2 months after the older adult's hospitalization. A researcher completed the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) and a family caregiver completed the Family Version of the Confusion Assessment Method (FAM-CAM) 2 days after surgery to assess the older adults for delirium symptoms.

RESULTS

Family caregivers' knowledge of delirium symptoms improved significantly from before the intervention to 2 weeks after the intervention and was maintained after the older adult's hospitalization. They also were able to recognize the presence and absence of delirium symptoms in the vignettes included in the intervention and in the older adult after surgery. In 94% of the cases, the family caregiver rating on the FAM-CAM approximately 2 days after the older adult's surgery agreed with the researcher rating on the CAM. Family caregivers expressed satisfaction with the intervention and stated that the information was helpful.

CONCLUSION

Delivery of a telephone-based intervention appears feasible. All family caregivers who began the program completed the four education modules. Future studies evaluating the effectiveness of the educational program should include a control group.

A Smartphone-based Decision Support Tool Improves Test Performance Concerning Application of the Guidelines for Managing Regional Anesthesia in the Patient Receiving Antithrombotic or Thrombolytic Therapy

BACKGROUND

The American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA) consensus statement on regional anesthesia in the patient receiving antithrombotic or thrombolytic therapy is the standard for evaluation and management of these patients. The authors hypothesized that an electronic decision support tool (eDST) would improve test performance compared with native physician behavior concerning the application of this guideline.

METHODS

Anesthesiology trainees and faculty at 8 institutions participated in a prospective, randomized trial in which they completed a 20-question test involving clinical scenarios related to the ASRA guidelines. The eDST group completed the test using an iOS app programmed to contain decision logic and content of the ASRA guidelines. The control group completed the test by using any resource in addition to the app. A generalized linear mixed-effects model was used to examine the effect of the intervention.

RESULTS

After obtaining institutional review board's approval and informed consent, 259 participants were enrolled and randomized (eDST = 122; control = 137). The mean score was 92.4 ± 6.6% in the eDST group and 68.0 ± 15.8% in the control group (P < 0.001). eDST use increased the odds of selecting correct answers (7.8; 95% CI, 5.7 to 10.7). Most control group participants (63%) used some cognitive aid during the test, and they scored higher than those who tested from memory alone (76 ± 15% vs. 57 ± 18%, P < 0.001). There was no difference in time to completion of the test (P = 0.15) and no effect of training level (P = 0.56).

CONCLUSIONS

eDST use improved application of the ASRA guidelines compared with the native clinician behavior in a testing environment.

Educating Family Caregivers for Older Adults About Delirium: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Delirium in older adults is considered a medical emergency; it contributes to a cascade of functional decline and to increased mortality. Early recognition of delirium symptoms is critical to prevent these negative consequences. Family caregivers who are educated about delirium could partner with nurses and other healthcare professionals in early recognition of delirium symptoms. Before implementing such partnership models, it is important to examine the effectiveness of educating family caregivers about delirium.

AIMS

To examine whether providing education on delirium to family caregivers improved their knowledge, emotional state, or response in reducing the incidence of delirium in older adults.

METHODS

For this systematic review, we conducted literature searches in CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Medline, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Social Sciences in ProQuest, Dissertations and Theses, and the Virginia Henderson Global Nursing eRepository for studies published in the English language between January 2000 and June 2015. Criteria for inclusion were: (a) primary focus on educating family caregivers for older adults about delirium; (b) use of experimental, quasi-experimental, or comparative design; (c) measured family caregiver outcomes of delirium knowledge, emotional state, or response in reducing delirium incidence in older adults; and (d) published in the English language. Articles were appraised using Melnyk's rapid critical appraisal guides.

RESULTS

Seven studies met the review criteria. Four studies found that family caregivers' delirium knowledge increased; two noted that delirium incidence in older adults declined; and one study reported less distress following receipt of education.

LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION

Providing family caregivers with information about delirium can be beneficial for both family caregivers and older adults. However, rigorous evaluation of education programs for family caregivers about delirium is needed.

DELirium Prediction Based on Hospital Information (Delphi) in General Surgery Patients

To develop a simple and accurate delirium prediction score that would allow identification of individuals with a high probability of postoperative delirium on the basis of preoperative and immediate postoperative data.Postoperative delirium, although transient, is associated with adverse outcomes after surgery. However, there has been no appropriate tool to predict postoperative delirium.This was a prospective observational single-center study, which consisted of the development of the DELirium Prediction based on Hospital Information (Delphi) score (n = 561) and its validation (n = 533). We collected potential risk factors for postoperative delirium, which were identified by conducting a comprehensive review of the literatures.Age, low physical activity, hearing impairment, heavy alcoholism, history of prior delirium, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, emergency surgery, open surgery, and increased preoperative C-reactive protein were identified as independent predictors of postoperative delirium. The Delphi score was generated using logistic regression coefficients. The maximum Delphi score was 15 and the optimal cut-off point identified with the Youden index was 6.5. Generated area under the (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.911 (95% CI: 0.88-0.94). In the validation study, the calculated AUC of the ROC curve based on the Delphi score was 0.938 (95% Cl: 0.91-0.97). We divided the validation cohort into the low-risk group (Delphi score 0-6) and high-risk group (7-15). Sensitivity of Delphi score was 80.8% and specificity 92.5%.Our proposed Delphi score could help health-care provider to predict the development of delirium and make possible targeted intervention to prevent delirium in high-risk surgery patients.

Psychometric Properties of the Family Caregiver Delirium Knowledge Questionnaire

A valid, reliable measure of family caregivers' knowledge about delirium was not located in the literature; such an instrument is essential to assess learning needs and outcomes of education provided. The purpose of the current study was to (a) develop a family Caregiver Delirium Knowledge Questionnaire (CDKQ) based on the Symptom Interpretation Model; and (b) establish validity and reliability of the measure. The 19-item CDKQ was developed and administered to 164 family caregivers for community-dwelling older adults. Descriptive statistics were examined for all variables. Psychometric testing included confirmatory factor analysis, item-to-total correlations, and internal consistency reliability. A three-factor model provided the best fit for the data. The findings support initial validity and reliability of the CDKQ with family caregivers. Although the CDKQ was developed for use with family caregivers, it has potential for use with other caregivers, such as home health aides.

Effect of a cognitive aid on adherence to perioperative assessment and management guidelines for the cardiac evaluation of noncardiac surgical patients

BACKGROUND

The 2007 American College of Cardiologists/American Heart Association Guidelines on Perioperative Cardiac Evaluation and Care for Noncardiac Surgery is the standard for perioperative cardiac evaluation. Recent work has shown that residents and anesthesiologists do not apply these guidelines when tested. This research hypothesized that a decision support tool would improve adherence to this consensus guideline.

METHODS

Anesthesiology residents at four training programs participated in an unblinded, prospective, randomized, cross-over trial in which they completed two tests covering clinical scenarios. One quiz was completed from memory and one with the aid of an electronic decision support tool. Performance was evaluated by overall score (% correct), number of incorrect answers with possibly increased cost or risk of care, and the amount of time required to complete the quizzes both with and without the cognitive aid. The primary outcome was the proportion of correct responses attributable to the use of the decision support tool.

RESULTS

All anesthesiology residents at four institutions were recruited and 111 residents participated. Use of the decision support tool resulted in a 25% improvement in adherence to guidelines compared with memory alone (P < 0.0001), and participants made 77% fewer incorrect responses that would have resulted in increased costs. Use of the tool was associated with a 3.4-min increase in time to complete the test (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Use of an electronic decision support tool significantly improved adherence to the guidelines as compared with memory alone. The decision support tool also prevented inappropriate management steps possibly associated with increased healthcare costs.

Family Caregivers' Knowledge of Delirium and Preferred Modalities for Receipt of Information

Delirium is a life-threatening, frequently reversible condition that is often a sign of an underlying health problem. In-hospital mortality alone for older adults with delirium ranges from 25% to 33%. Early recognition of delirium is critical because prolonged duration poses a greater risk of poor functional outcomes for older adults. Family caregivers, who are familiar with the older adult's usual behaviors, are most likely to recognize delirium symptoms but might dismiss them as due to aging. It is important to learn what family caregivers know about delirium to ascertain their need for education. The aims of this study were to describe family caregivers' knowledge of delirium and preferred modalities for receipt of information about delirium. A cross-sectional design was used for this study and a survey distributed to family caregivers for older adults. Analysis of 134 usable surveys indicated that family caregivers need and want information about delirium. The preferred modalities for receipt of information included Internet, in-person classes, and newsletters.

Simulation curriculum can improve medical student assessment and management of acute coronary syndrome during a clinical practice exam

BACKGROUND

It has been noted that increased focus on learning acute care skills is needed in undergraduate medical curricula. This study investigated whether a simulation-based curriculum improved a senior medical student's ability to manage acute coronary syndrome as measured during a clinical performance examination (CPX). The authors hypothesized that simulation training would improve overall performance when compared with targeted didactics or historical controls.

METHODS

All 4th-year medical students (n = 291) over 2 years at the authors' institution were included in this study. In the 3rd year of medical school, the "control" group received no intervention, the "didactic" group received a targeted didactic curriculum, and the "simulation" group participated in small group simulation training and the didactic curriculum. For intergroup comparison on the CPX, the authors calculated the percentage of correct actions completed by the student. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation with significance defined as P < 0.05.

RESULTS

There was a significant improvement in overall performance with simulation versus both didactics and control (P < 0.001). Performance on the physical examination component was significantly better in simulation versus both didactics and control, as was for diagnosis: simulation versus both didactics and control (P < 0.02 for all comparisons).

CONCLUSIONS

Simulation training had a modest impact on overall CPX performance in the management of a simulated acute coronary syndrome. Additional studies are needed to evaluate how to further improve curricula regarding unstable patients.