Knowledge and Practice of Nurses Regarding Safety of Patients with Temporary Cardiac Pacemakers in the Critical Care Units

Background: Temporary cardiac pacing provides electrical stimulation to a heart compromised
by disturbances in the conduction system causing hemodynamic instability. The use of a temporary
pacemaker to treat a brady dysrhythmia or in some cases, a tachydysryhthmia, is undertaken when the
condition is temporary and a permanent pacemaker is not necessary or available in a timely fashion.
Temporary cardiac pacing is utilized in acute situations and for critically ill patient populations requiring
immediate therapy. Aim: The present study was conducted to assess nurses' knowledge and practice
regarding safety of patients with temporary cardiac pacemakers in the critical care units. Research
design: A descriptive exploratory design. Setting: This study was conducted at intensive and coronary
care units at National Heart Institute affiliated to Ministry of Health. Methods: A purposive sample of 50
nurses working in the coronary care units at National Heart Institute, 50 nurses from both genders, with
different ages, educational levels and years of experience was selected for this study. Data were obtained
through two main tools; self administered questionnaire tool and observational checklist. Result: Nearly
three quarters of the study nurses had unsatisfactory level of knowledge and incompetent levels of
practice regarding care of patients with temporary cardiac pacemaker in the critical care units. There was
a statistical significant relationship between demographic characteristics (age of the studied subjects,
education, years of experience and training courses) regarding to total knowledge and practice of the
studied subjects. While there was a statistical significant relationship between total practice levels of the
studied subjects regarding to total knowledge of the studied subjects. Conclusion: The study concluded
that, there are several factors affecting the knowledge and practice of the studied nurses including
demographic factors (e.g. age, years of experience, level of education and attendance of training courses),
in addition to the organizational factors (e.g. availability of resources, hospital policy and setting) as well
as personal factors (e.g. presence of well trained and highly educated team leader and presence of
competent team member). Also it was found that the knowledge level of the studied nurses was affecting
their practice. Recommendations: Further study to evaluate the reflection of educational program
regarding nurses' performance &consequently on the patient outcome. The study should be replicated on
large sample &in different hospitalssetting in order to generalize the results.