Delirium screening in patients in a palliative care ward: a best practice implementation project

Risk Factors and Antipsychotic Usage Patterns Associated With Terminal Delirium in a Veteran Long-Term Care Hospice Population

Background

The development of delirium is very common in terminally ill patients. However, risk factors for terminal delirium in the veteran population are poorly identified. The purpose of this study was to (1) Identify risk factors for terminal delirium in a US Department of Veterans Affairs inpatient hospice population; (2) Assess usage patterns of antipsychotics for treatment of terminal delirium; and (3) Describe nursing assessment, nonpharmacologic interventions, and documentation of terminal delirium.

Methods

This was a retrospective case-control study of veterans who expired while admitted into hospice care at a long-term care hospice unit during the period of October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2015. Veterans' medical records were reviewed for the 2 weeks prior to the recorded death.

Results

Of 307 veterans admitted for hospice care, 67.4% required antipsychotics in the last 2 weeks of life for the treatment of terminal delirium. The average number of antipsychotic doses given was 14.9 doses per patient. The risk factors that were identified included the use of steroids, opioids, or anticholinergics; Vietnam-era veterans with liver disease; veterans with cancer and a comorbid mental health disorder; and veterans with a history of drug and/or alcohol abuse.

Conclusions

More than half of veterans admitted for hospice care experienced terminal delirium requiring treatment with antipsychotics. The identification of veterans most likely to develop terminal delirium will allow for early nonpharmacologic interventions and potentially decrease the need for treatment with antipsychotic medications.

Effect of palliative care training on perceived self-efficacy of the nurses

Background

Nurses are involved in providing end-of-life care for end stage individuals and their self-efficacy is one of the key factors bearing on such care. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of palliative care on perceived self-efficacy of the nurses.

Methods

This is a quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest design. Sampling was randomized and included 40 individuals. The intervention consisted of palliative care training for four sessions, each lasting 45 min. Data were collected using demographic and perceived self-efficacy questionnaires completed before and after the intervention. Data were then analyzed by SPSS 16 software using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 38.6 and their work experience was 14.25 years. The majority of the participants were female (85%) and had a bachelor level of education (92.5%). The findings showed that “perceived self-efficacy”, “psychosocial support” and “symptom management” improved significantly after intervention (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Based on the results, palliative care education has the potential to increase nurses’ perceived self-efficacy. Since all members of the health care team Including nurses play an important role in providing palliative care, nursing managers can take an effective step to maximize the capacity of nurses by planning and supporting training in this regard.