| Learning Objective #1: Identify the clinical risk factors of the target population | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Identify pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options |
Compared to foreign countries Germany does not have data about the spreading of acute confusion following a heart-surgery. However, the occurance of accute confusion does extend the hospital length of stay for up to 13 days. Thus, this phenomenon is of high relevance to nursing. This prevalence / incidence study was implemented with the goal to obtain exact information on the incidence rate of acute postoperative confusion after a heart-surgical surgery through a multicentre evaluation. The data evaluation took place in form of a convenient sample survey in three different German clinics specialized on heart surgeries. The observation period lasted from the day of the surgery up to the fifth postoperative day. In the context of this prospective Cohert-study all patients aged 18 and older who had a heart surgery between February 1st and April 30th, 2000, were suitable as participants in the study. In the end, 860 patients were included in this study. All in all 152 patients showed symptoms of accute confusion, meaning a total incidence of 17,4 % (confidence intervall 14-20 %). The occurance of this phenomenon was not symmetrical. A widespread occurance could be observed particularly at night. Patients aged 81 – 91 were mainly affected. A confusion rate of 43,5 % could be determined for that group. The results confirm the clinical importance and require interdisciplinary approaches for solution. The interdisciplinary approaches include pharmacological as well as non-pharmacological treatment options.
Back to Adult Critical Care: Initiatives and Innovations
Back to 37th Biennial Convention - Clinical Sessions
Sigma Theta Tau International