Two of KP Fresno’s geriatric-certified nurse’s recently had the opportunity to present at the National American Delirium Conference in Sacramento in June. Clinical Nurse Specialist Krystal Pombo, MSN, RN, CNS, AGCNS-BC, Adult Services, and Staff Nurse III Danny Nguyen, RN, BS, Gero-BC, Telemetry, shared findings from an evidence-based performance improvement project focused on cognitive health.
“The project involved a sleep assessment of patients upon admission or each morning,” Nguyen said. “The nurses ask about their sleep, whether they got a lot, some or little. If the patient had poor sleep, there is a sleep menu the Geriatric Committee revamped that includes offering a lavender towel, eye mask, ear plugs, dimmer lights, or medication like melatonin. Lack of sleep plays a big role in delirium.”
Nguyen said that if a patient reports severe sleep deprivation, the team works with physicians to determine what else they can do to help improve sleep outcomes. Sleep deprivation can be a factor that contributes to delirium which can cause medical complications or a worsening of symptoms.
The sleep assessment project has been implemented in Med-Surg, Telemetry and Critical Care Unit.
Since this project was implemented, Pombo said patient sleep assessment completion increased from 35.3% to 95.7%. The patient-reported sleep quality improved from 76.6% to 86%.
“This work aligns with facility initiatives specific to the Senior Surgical Care Program as well as our recent recognition as a level 2 Age-Friendly Health System,” Pombo said.
For Nguyen, he was proud to represent KP Fresno and the Geriatric Committee’s work at the conference.
“It was an amazing experience and gave me a bigger picture about why we need to do the research and quality improvements in these areas to advocate for our patients,” Nguyen said. “Becoming a certified geriatric nurse gave me the opportunity to learn about our older population. This education gives me a better insight into providing individualized care, and about the age-related disease process. I’m thankful for the opportunity to learn, grow and expand my knowledge. I wanted to give back to the elders who once took care of us.”
Completed 2024 studies
Sleep Assessment
Purewick (regional CNS project)
Ultrasound-Guided IV Training
Studies in progress
Geriatric Escape Room
Improving Registered Nurse National Certification at KP-Fresno
Gamification to Enhance Staff Satisfaction
Secure-A- Cath
Geriatric Symposium
Geriatric Care Cart
CCU -Competencies-Various Teaching Strategies
End Tidal CO2 in PACU