Date Available
4-26-2024
Year of Publication
2024
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Committee Chair
Dr. Andrew Makowski
Clinical Mentor
Melissa Soper
Committee Member
Dr. Julie Perry
Committee Member
Dr. Brooke Judd
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Post intensive care syndrome is a condition that can lead to a range of physical,
cognitive, and psychiatric issues and is frequently undiagnosed. Educating Nurse Practitioners,
Physician Assistants, and Physician Fellows who work in the ICU about post intensive care
syndrome and a cognitive screening tool like the MoCA can significantly enhance their
understanding and ability to diagnose a component of this syndrome.
Purpose: The purpose of this project was to evaluate the effect of an educational intervention
regarding post intensive care syndrome among ICU nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and
physician fellows treating patients within the ICU.
Methodology: The project employed a quasi-experimental one-group pre-test and post-test
design. The pre-test (Appendix A) and post-test (Appendix B) evaluated healthcare providers'
knowledge of post intensive care syndrome, and providers’ knowledge of and likelihood of using
of the MoCA before and after a 20-minute educational module. The project also measured the
rate of MoCA screenings completed by providers four weeks before and four weeks after the
educational module.
Results: Post intensive care syndrome mean knowledge scores increased from 5.1 (SD=0.7) to
7.2 (SD=0.9), and MoCA mean knowledge scores increased from 3.6 (SD=1.3) to 6.4 (SD=1.6).
The likelihood of implementing the MoCA into practice increased from 3.2 (SD=0.9) to 3.9
(SD=0.7). There was no change in MoCA screening rates from pre-intervention to postintervention.
Conclusions: The educational intervention was effective in improving providers knowledge
regarding post intensive care syndrome and MoCA scoring. Despite the change in attitudes to
adopting the MoCA for cognitive screenings in the ICU, there was no change in screening rates
Recommended Citation
Harrod, Terry, "Implementation of an Education Intervention Aimed at Intensive Care Unit Providers to Improve Knowledge of and Screening for Cognitive Impairment Related to Post-Intensive Care Syndrome" (2024). DNP Projects. 463.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/dnp_etds/463
