ความรู้ ทัศนคติและการปฏิบัติของพยาบาลเพื่อจัดการภาวะสับสนเฉียบพลันในผู้ป่วยวิกฤต

Abstract

Delirium is a neurogenic disorder which causes cognitive impairment and abnormal emotions in critically ill patients. It also affects these patients by prolonging hospital treatment and decreasing quality of life. The purpose of this descriptive correlational research was to examine the factors related to knowledge, attitudes, and practice for delirium management of critically ill patients according to Bloom's framework (Bloom, 1956). Data were collected on 260 critical care nurses who worked at provincial government hospitals and regional hospitals in the upper northern region of Thailand. Research instruments consisted of 1) a demographic data form; 2) a nurse’s knowledge questionnaire regarding delirium in critically ill patients; 3) a nurse’s attitudes questionnaire regarding delirium in critically ill patients; and 4) a nurse’s practices questionnaire regarding delirium in critically ill patients. Three questionnaires had a content validity index of 0.80, 0.65, and 1.00. Descriptive statistics and the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient were used for data analysis. The results showed that the majority of participants’ knowledge (77.30%) and attitudes (60.00%) regarding delirium in critically ill patients were at a good level. The majority of participants’ practice (50.40%) regarding delirium in critically ill patients were at a bad level. There was no correlation between participants’ knowledge and their practice. Participants’ attitudes had less significantly, and positively associated with practice (r = .270, p < .01). The results from this research were consistent with Bloom's theory, that attitudes are related to practice. However, in terms of knowledge it was found that, it has no relationship with practice. These results can be used as basic knowledge for improving and developing nursing practice regarding delirium management among critically ill patients. In addition, other factors that affect nurses' practices in managing delirium in critically ill patients should be studied.