Event Title

Back to Reality: Efficacy of Reality Orientation Activities Minimizing Postoperative Delirium

Presenter Information

Yu (Janet) Wu, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Stephanie Kruse, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Andrew Thomas, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Christine Haas, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Catherine Conniff, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Location

CSU Ballroom

Start Date

9-4-2012 1:00 PM

End Date

9-4-2012 2:30 PM

Student's Major

School of Nursing

Student's College

Allied Health and Nursing

Mentor's Name

Hans Peter de Ruiter

Mentor's Department

School of Nursing

Mentor's College

Allied Health and Nursing

Description

Postoperative delirium occurs in 14-56% of elderly patients and leads to serious complications (DeCrane, Ashland, Lim, Tsai, Paul& Leung, 2011). A reality orientation tool may minimize its prevalence and duration (Hudek, 2009; DeCrane et al., 2011). Delirium is defined as a sudden change in brain cognitive function and disturbance of consciousness (Inouye, 2004) and an effective nursing intervention tool is needed to reduce it. The purpose of this study is to evaluate validity and reliability of the Reality Orientation Tool. Design: A quasi-experimental quantitative study is conducted with convenience sampling. Data collection is performed via clinical interviews and medical record review. Prevalence of delirium is compared with use of reality orientation activities pre- and postoperatively. Method: Mental status and delirium are evaluated using gold standard tools pre- and postoperatively. The Mini- Mental State Exam is used to qualify a subject for the study, to determine preoperative baseline, and postoperatively, as part of the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), in order to evaluate subjects’ cognitive status. The design of the Reality Orientation Tool is based on the philosophy that stress precedes delirium and orientation to reality minimizes anxiety. The clinical implication of the study will be significant because we can increase the standard of care and patients’ safety by applying a relatively simple orientation step in our current practice.