Temporal trend analysis of nurses' knowledge about implantable cardioverter defibrillators

Abstract

Over an 8-year period, despite the increased usage of ICDs, overall nurses had a lack of knowledge in relation to specific key clinical issues on the care of ICD patients. As a consequence, these patients may fail to receive qualified care. Future research should assess knowledge of other health care professionals and focus on interventions that increase and maintain an appropriate knowledge level in care of ICD patients. Relevance to clinical practice The level of nurses' knowledge on care of patients with ICDs needs to be systematically raised in order to ensure appropriate counselling and nursing care.

Hjemmemonitor gir trygghet

“…For noen kan det å ha en ICD vaere en vedvarende påminning om deres alvorlige hjertesykdom (6). For å motvirke den angsten som kan vaere forbundet med det å ha ICD, er det viktig med praktisk informasjon om situasjoner som kan oppstå i dagliglivet, og om hvilke forholdsregler pasienten skal ta (7). Det er derfor essensielt at legene og sykepleierne tar seg tid til å informere om ICDbehandlingen og svare på spørsmål fra pasienten og pårørende.…”

What's in this Issue?

“…Within this context, Norekvål et al (2015) studied the knowledge levels of critical care nurses in relation to implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) particularly as their use is increasing worldwide and there are specific aspects of care that should be covered with patients prior to, following insertion and discharge home. How well we keep up to date with these advances and integrate the application of technology into care delivery and in supporting patients becoming self-managing are important professional questions.…”

“…How well we keep up to date with these advances and integrate the application of technology into care delivery and in supporting patients becoming self-managing are important professional questions. Within this context, Norekvål et al (2015) studied the knowledge levels of critical care nurses in relation to implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) particularly as their use is increasing worldwide and there are specific aspects of care that should be covered with patients prior to, following insertion and discharge home. Using a validated instrument, data collection covered a period of 8 years and included 463 nurses who attended a week's cardiac course offered once a year.…”