Cardiovascular surgery nurses' level of knowledge regarding delirium

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Critical Care
• Geriatrics

Background:

• Nurses play a vital role in recognizing delirium.
• Current knowledge levels among nurses regarding delirium are insufficient.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the knowledge level of cardiovascular surgery nurses concerning delirium.
• To identify factors influencing delirium knowledge in this population.

Main Methods:

• A survey design was employed with 97 nurses from cardiovascular surgery wards and ICUs in Turkey.
• Data collected via demographic and delirium knowledge questionnaires.
• Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and inferential tests (Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U, t-test).

Main Results:

• Nurses had a moderate level of knowledge regarding delirium (average score 41.18 ± 12.50).
• Higher scores were observed in nurses working in intensive care units, chief nurses, and those who received in-service training.
• Years of experience in cardiovascular surgery did not significantly correlate with knowledge scores.

Conclusions:

• Cardiovascular surgery nurses demonstrate a moderate understanding of delirium, posing a risk for neglect or misdiagnosis.
• There is a need for comprehensive training programs focused on delirium recognition, assessment, and intervention.
• Improving nurses' knowledge is essential to minimize the incidence and impact of delirium in cardiovascular surgery patients.