Defibrillation Training Program and Its effects on Acquisition of Nurses Knowledge and Practice

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Lecturer in Medical Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Beni-Suef University, Egypt

2 Assistant professor of Medical Surgical Nursing Faculty of Nursing, Beni-Suef University, Egypt

3 Assistant professor of Medical Surgical Nursing Faculty of Nursing, Damietta University, Egypt

Abstract

Defibrillation is electrical therapy used to quickly terminate lethal dysrhythmias through defibrillation or
cardioversion and early defibrillation lead to higher rates of survival. Critical care nurse is the first realize
to life-threatening conditions so it is important that critical care nurses must have sufficient knowledge
and skills about defibrillation. Aim: evaluate the effect of training program on nurses' knowledge and
practice regarding defibrillation. Design: A quasi-experimental design was used. Setting: The study was
conducted in coronary care unit at Beni-Suef University Hospital. Sample: All convenient samples 38
nurses. Tools: Two tools were used (1) a self-administered questionnaire to assess knowledge, (2) an
observational checklist to assess practice regarding defibrillation. Results: preprogram; the majority of
the nurses had unsatisfactory knowledge and practice regarding defibrillation (84.2% and 92.1%
respectively). A significant improvement was found immediately post-program (86.8% and 81.6%
respectively) while this improvement lowered slightly post 3 months at follow up (76,3% and 71,1%
respectively). Conclusion: A statistically significant improvement in nurses' knowledge and practice had
got after implementation of the program which supported the study hypothesis. Recommendation:
Continuous in-service training programs about defibrillation.

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