Effectiveness of Educational Program on Critical Care Nurses’ Knowledge of ICU Delirium

Abstract

Background: Delirium is a common and serious complication in intensive care units (ICUs), associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and long-term cognitive decline. Despite its clinical significance, knowledge gaps among critical care nurses often lead to underrecognition and suboptimal management, highlighting the need for targeted educational interventions. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured educational program in improving ICU nurses’ knowledge of delirium, hypothesizing that focused education would result in significant knowledge gains and potentially support better clinical practice. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted at Ali Fatima Hospital, Lahore, enrolling 50 ICU nurses meeting inclusion criteria of at least three months of ICU experience and no prior delirium-specific training. Data were collected using a validated delirium knowledge questionnaire administered before and after the intervention. The educational program incorporated evidence-based content and interactive training modules. Ethical approval was obtained from the institutional review board in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 26, with paired t-tests used to assess pre-post differences and significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The mean pre-intervention knowledge score was 8.9 (SD 2.3), which increased significantly to 67.5 (SD 3.4) post-intervention (mean difference = 58.6, 95% CI: 56.7–60.5, p < 0.001), indicating a substantial and consistent improvement in nurses’ knowledge. The effect size was large, with knowledge gains observed across all subgroups. Conclusion: A structured educational program significantly enhances ICU nurses’ knowledge of delirium, supporting the integration of ongoing, targeted education into routine nursing training. Improved nurse knowledge is likely to contribute to earlier detection, better management, and improved patient outcomes in the ICU setting.