Prevention and Management of ICU Delirium

Abstract

By Emma Belsley, Nursing; Kristen Stueve, Nursing; Sarah Sullivan, Nursing

Advisor: Caroline Morrison

Presentation ID: 115

Abstract: ICU delirium is a phenomenon where patients admitted to intensive care units do not receive adequate rest to support normal cognition, which results in an acute form of psychosis. ICU delirium is a common occurrence among patients, affecting as much as 80% of those receiving mechanical ventilation, and 50% of patients not receiving mechanical ventilation (Bounds, 2016). Overall, ICU delirium can have serious repercussions such as harm to self and/or providers, as well as a much higher cost of care. ICU nurses are expected to complete hourly assessment scales on patients, to assess for delirium. While assessment helps diagnose delirium, it does not prevent it. The purpose of this presentation is to discuss the significance of the wakening, Breathing, Coordination, Delirium prevention and management, and Early mobility (ABCDE) bundle in preventing the occurrence of ICU delirium. The ABCDE bundle is used to prevent, detect earlier, or shorten the duration of ICU delirium and has been implemented in select ICU's. This bundle incorporates holistic measures to significantly benefit patients' physical, functional, and neurocognitive status through awakening, breathing, coordination, delirium prevention and management, and early mobility. We created an educational powerpoint to present the efficacy of the ABCDE bundle and the importance of preventing hospital delirium. A pre and post survey was utilized to test the participants knowledge which showed an increase in overall understanding, with 9/10 participants showing a willingness to implement the bundle into practice within an ICU setting.