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

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.