Detecting and Preventing Delirium On Trauma Unit Using True Collaboration

Project Topic:

Delirium education, detection, management, prevention and documentation

Hospital, City and State:

Ochsner LSU Health, Shreveport, Louisiana

Unit:

• Trauma-Surgical Services

CSI Participants:

• Tiimaro Ekanem, ASN, RN
• Emily Short, ASN, RN
• Kayla Joshi, MHA, RN, CCRN, OCN, CPPS
• Luz Ospina, BS, RN
• Coach: Kari Davis, MSN, RN, CCRN-CMC

Project Goals/Objectives:

1. 90% of patients screened with Brief Confusion Assessment Method (bCAM)
2. Delirium toolkit used in 75% of positive screens
3. Achieve ≥80% on knowledge assessments
4. 90% correct on sleep hygiene quiz question
5. Improve sleep environment scores
6. Increase True Collaboration score on the Healthy Work Environment Assessment (HWEAT) 10 from 3.6 to 4.0
7. Decrease falls from 12 to under 10

Project Outcomes:

1. 99% of patients screened were screened with Brief Confusion Assessment Method (bCAM)
2. Delirium Took kit was used in 34.29% of the patients who screened positive
3. 87.78% Score on Post Project Knowledge Quiz
4. 100% Correct on sleep hygiene quiz question on knowledge assessment
5. Sleep environment patient satisfaction scores increased by 15%
6. HWEAT True Collaboration score increased by 3.9 to 3.77 overall score
7. Falls decreased by 1 from 12 to 11.

Project Overview:

The *Delirium Detectives* project is a nurse-led quality improvement initiative on the Trauma Unit at Ochsner LSU Shreveport. It is designed to improve the early recognition and prevention of delirium through a combination of staff education, standardized Brief Confusion Assessment Method (bCAM) screening, and the use of a non-pharmacologic delirium prevention toolkit.

This initiative addresses identified staff knowledge gaps while promoting improved patient outcomes. Key strategies include enhancing sleep hygiene, encouraging cognitive stimulation, and optimizing the patient care environment. In addition, Virtual Nursing is integrated into the workflow to support admission screening and assist with early care planning.

The project also incorporates regular audits, just-in-time education, and staff engagement activities to reinforce best practices. These efforts aim to increase compliance with delirium screening, improve patient experience scores, and strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration.

Ultimately, the program seeks to reduce costs associated with sitter utilization and prolonged length of stay, while empowering nurses as clinical leaders. This work aligns with AACN Clinical Scene Investigator (CSI) principles by fostering innovation, accountability, and frontline-driven improvements in patient care.