Postoperative Delirium Prevention in the Older Adult: An Evidence-Based Process Improvement Project

Area of Science:

• Geriatrics
• Critical Care Medicine
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Postoperative delirium is a common and serious complication affecting hospitalized older adults.
• Delirium presents a significant challenge in surgical patient care, impacting recovery and outcomes.
• Early identification and management are crucial for mitigating the adverse effects of delirium.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of implementing a delirium screening tool and a protocol for delirium prevention.
• To assess the effect of these interventions on nurses' knowledge and identification of delirium.
• To determine if these interventions lead to medical treatment alterations and improved patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A screening tool for delirium was implemented on a surgical unit.
• An evidence-based protocol for delirium prevention was introduced concurrently.
• Nurses' knowledge and delirium identification rates were monitored before and after implementation.

Main Results:

• Nurses demonstrated increased knowledge regarding delirium post-implementation.
• The identification rate of postoperative delirium significantly increased.
• Implementation led to alterations in medical treatment plans for affected patients.

Conclusions:

• The integrated approach of screening and prevention protocols effectively enhances nurses' understanding of delirium.
• The interventions improved the detection of delirium in hospitalized older adults.
• These changes in nursing practice and medical management contributed to better patient outcomes.