South Korean nurses’ knowledge of delirium in hospitalised older adults with and without dementia

Abstract

Recently, Western studies have assessed acute care nurses' knowledge of delirium in hospitalised older adult with and without dementia, using case vignettes [3,8]. Fick, Hodo [3] reported more knowledge of the recognition and management of dementia, hyperactive delirium and hyperactive DSD, compared with hypoactive delirium and hypoactive DSD, using the five vignettes. Bellelli, Morandi [8] reported poor knowledge of the recognition of hypoactive delirium and DSD, using the two vignettes. However, in South Korea, most nursing research has focused on delirium as a single clinical entity in hospital settings [9][10][11][12], and little attention was given to DSD recognition and management in hospital settings. The aim of this study was to assess South Korean nurses' knowledge of delirium in hospitalised older adults with and without dementia. MethodsThis cross-sectional survey study was conducted in one regional general hospital in South Korea. Participants and data collectionInformation seminars providing oral and written information about the study were held and a convenience sample of 101 RNs from inpatients wards, excluding critical care, paediatric and obstetric units was recruited. They completed the survey in July 2013. Outcome measuresKnowledge of dementia, delirium, and DSD was measured using five case vignettes [3] which illustrate hospitalised older adults with dementia, hypoactive delirium, hyperactive delirium, hyperactive DSD, and hypoactive DSD. The case vignettes focus on assessing nurses' ability to identify different subtypes of delirium and DSD in