Post‐Stroke Delirium and Its Impact on Additional Nursing Minutes and Nursing Tasks: A Prospective Single‐Centre Case–Control Study Using Routine Data

Aim To compare people with post‐stroke delirium and those without post‐stroke delirium regarding the additional nursing time and nursing tasks required for their care. Design Prospective single‐centre case–control study using routine data. Methods People admitted to the Stroke Centre between July and December 2023 who met the inclusion criteria were screened for post‐stroke delirium. Propensity score matching was used to match people who experienced post‐stroke delirium with those who did not by age, sex, stroke diagnosis and other confounding factors. Nursing time and nursing tasks were measured using the Leistungserfassung in der Pflege method. Results Of the 564 screened people, 202 met the inclusion criteria. After matching, the cohort comprised 90 participants (45 experienced post‐stroke delirium and 45 did not). Participants who experienced post‐stroke delirium required substantially more nursing time, particularly for movement, personal hygiene and dressing, in‐hospital transport, one‐on‐one care, laboratory tests, medication and treatment. Conclusions Post‐stroke delirium is associated with increased nursing workload, highlighting the importance of early identification, targeted nursing care and appropriate resource planning. Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care Post‐stroke delirium should be considered not only a complication but also an important determinant of nursing workload, with implications for nurse staffing, workforce planning and the resource allocation in stroke units. Impact Although the clinical and prognostic impact of a post‐stroke delirium is well understood, its consequences for nursing workload are not. Our findings, based on routine data, are applicable to clinical practice and relevant for nurse staffing planning as well as future health services research. Reporting Method This study follows the RECORD extension of the STROBE statement. Patient or Public Contribution This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct or reporting. Registration The study was prospectively registered in the German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00032136 on 27 June 2023.