Publication Date
Spring 2026
Degree Type
Doctoral Project
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Ruth Rosenblum
Keywords
Weighted blankets, Neuroscience ICU, Nonpharmacological interventions, Agitation management
Abstract
The weighted blanket quality improvement pilot project was implemented at Stanford Healthcare (SHC) to address the limited number of nonpharmacological interventions available for agitation management in the critical care setting. Patients within the Neurosciences ICU (NSICU) at SHC are clinically complex and uniquely vulnerable to experiencing agitation. The objectives of this initiative were to understand nurses' perceptions surrounding weighted blanket use in the critical care setting and assess whether there was a decrease in Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) scores with this intervention. From September 2025 to December 2025, the nurses within the NSICU implemented the use of weighted blankets for patients experiencing agitation symptoms. Patients meeting set inclusion criteria for the intervention also scored +2 or greater on the RASS tool. Approval for the quality improvement initiative was received from the SHC Compliance Department. A Welch’s independent t test was used to assess significance related to nurses' perception before and after the weighted blanket intervention. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to assess changes in RASS scores over time with patients that received a weighted blanket. Overall, nurses responded positively to the weighted blanket intervention. Results also suggested a trend toward statistical significance in decreasing mean RASS scores over time with the use of the weighted blanket. Incorporating emerging research into agitation management practices may enhance patient care delivery and improve patient outcomes.
Recommended Citation
Musafar, Anita, "Weighted Blankets: Implementation of a Quality Improvement Pilot Project in the Neurosciences Intensive Care Unit" (2026). Doctoral Projects. 216.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31979/etd.rjhk-j5sw
https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/etd_doctoral/216
