Knowledge and Nursing Practice skill of Critical Care Nurses Caring for Patients with Delirium in Intensive Care Units in Nablus

Supervisor

Dr. Imad Thultheen

Abstract

Introduction

Delirium can have serious consequences in terms of morbidity, mortality, and increased health care costs. An extensive literature review showed that delirium is not well understood, recognized, or managed by medical and nursing professionals.

Purpose

The goal for this   study was to determine the level of knowledge and Practice skills  among  critical  care  nurses  caring for patients with delirium  who  were  treated  in   intensive   care   units  (ICUs)  in Nablus. Methods:   

A descriptive correlation study was performed. Convenience sample from critical care nurses, who were employed in different ICUs in Nablus will be recruited.

 Results 

Analysis showed that nurses in general had a moderate to low level of knowledge, with a mean score of 62.9 (SD = 18.2). Scores ranged from 50 to 85. The analysis also showed that nurses in general had a moderate to a low level of practice. Analysis of nurses‘ reports of responses on the visual analog scale showed a mean score of 67 (SD = 12.6), with scores ranging from 29 to 97. . Analysis showed that knowledge about delirium in patients in the ICU had positive and significant correlation with nursing practice (r = .26, p < .018). The results indicated that nurses with more knowledge about delirium in the ICU were more likely to have a higher level of effective nursing practice regarding its management.

Conclusion

This study evaluated critical care nurses‘ level of knowledge and Practice skills for ICU patients with delirium in Nablus-Palestine.  More work is needed to improve nurses‘ability to detect delirium early as well as to improve their management skills. More work on education about delirium.

Keywords

Intensive care unit , Intensive care nursing , Delirium , Nursing knowledge , Practice skill.