Grant: Project Grant

Almost half of patients in an intensive care unit (ICU) have delirium during their stay. Patients who have delirium cannot pay attention, are often confused, and may seem sleepier than usual. Research has shown that patients with delirium are more likely to die or have long-term mental health issues. Family members find it upsetting to see their loved one with delirium. This means that family members are also more likely to have long-term mental health issues. We think family members of ICU patients can see delirium before doctors and nurses. We also think family members can stop delirium from happening or shorten how long it lasts. Helping with delirium may protect family members and their loved ones from long-term mental health issues. Family members new to an ICU may not know about delirium. This study will tell family members how to use a questionnaire to identify delirium and how they can help stop delirium from happening or shorten how long it lasts. The goal of our study is to see if family members mental health gets better after helping with delirium in the ICU. We will also see if patients leave the ICU sooner. The results from this study may lead to a change in policy that would partner with family members to improve delirium in the ICU. In turn, this would improve patient and family care and outcomes in the ICU.