Exploring nurses’ knowledge of basic life support guideline of American Heart Association: a local study

Objective: Awareness of the changes concerning the clinical guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is essential for nurses. This study aimed at assessing the nurses’ knowledge of the ۲۰۱۵ American Heart Association basic life support guideline algorithm. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, the knowledge of ۱۸۳ nurses working in emergency departments, intensive care unit (ICU) and coronary care unit (CCU) regarding the ۲۰۱۵ American Heart Association basic life support guideline algorithm was investigated. Data were collected by a ۲۰-item questionnaire regarding the knowledge needed for resuscitation operations as well as the identification of the early stages of cardiac arrest. Nurses with a score of ۱۰ and less were put in the poor group, ۱۱-۱۵ in the fair group, and score of more than ۱۵ in the good group . Results: Results showed that the highest percentage of the right answer was observed in questions ۲۰ (۹۸.۴%), ۱۱ (۹۳.۴%), and ۱ (۸۸%), while the lowest percentage of the correct answer was found in questions ۱۳ (۳۰.۶%), ۲ (۳۱.۱%), and ۳ (۳۲.۸%). Mean ± SD of knowledge score was ۱۲.۳±۲.۲. A statistically significant difference was observed between knowledge of ICU nurses with an experience of basic life support educational course and those with no experience of such education. The knowledge score of educated and noneducated nurses was ۱۱.۵±۲.۲ and ۱۳.۲±۲.۵, respectively. Conclusion: This study indicated that ICU nurses do not have enough knowledge about basic life support of the ۲۰۱۵ American Heart Association guideline. Development of knowledge is one of the important components of professional expansion in nursing education programs.

کلیدواژه ها:

Knowledge ، Nurse ، Basic Cardiac Life Support