[Development and evaluation of a dementia and delirium nursing education program using workshops and regular case...

To develop a dementia and delirium nursing education program for nurses in acute care hospitals with the aim of enhancing their practical competencies. The program, based on person-centered care, included a 60-minute workshop and regular case conferences held two to three times per week. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the program by examining changes in nurses' knowledge and self-efficacy regarding dementia and delirium nursing, as well as patient outcomes, including falls, self-removal of tubes or catheters, and the use of physical restraints.

The program was conducted over a three-month period from November 2023 to January 2024 in a gastrointestinal surgical ward of an acute care hospital with a 7:1 nurse-to-patient ratio. Twenty-five nurses participated in this study. Questionnaires assessing knowledge and self-efficacy were administered before and after intervention. Patient outcome data, including falls, self-removal of tubes or catheters, and use of physical restraints, were collected from the medical records and compared before and after the intervention.

Nurses' knowledge and self-efficacy significantly improved after the intervention. Although the total number of patients with dementia and delirium increased significantly, the incidents of self-removal of tubes or catheters and the use of physical restraints significantly decreased. Falls decreased from two to zero, although this difference was not statistically significant.

The program was effective in improving nurses' knowledge and self-efficacy in dementia and delirium care and in reducing self-removal of tubes or catheters, as well as reducing the use of physical restraints.