Electrocardiogram interpretation competency among emergency nurses and emergency medical service (EMS) personnel: A cross-sectional and comparative descriptive study

Maryam Rahimpour, Shahla Shahbazi, Mansoor Ghafori Fard, Neda Gilani, Cathal Breen

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25 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

AIMS: The aim of this research study was to compare electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation competency among emergency nurses and EMS personnel.

DESIGN: A cross-sectional comparative descriptive study design was used.

METHODS: This study recruited 170 participants (105 emergency nurses and 65 EMS personnel) in northwest of Iran. Data were collected during 2018 using ECG, an interpretation competency questionnaire and analysed using SPSS V.24 through independent t test, linear regression, Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficient. A statistical significance of p < .05 was assumed.

RESULTS: The study results showed a mean score of 6.65 ± 2.16 out of 10 for emergency nurses' and 4.87 ± 1.81 for EMS personnel ECG interpretation competency (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS: Hospital emergency nurses were more qualified to interpret the ECG than the pre-hospital emergency medical personnel (p = .792 and β (SE)) = 0.22 (0.84). Active involvement in ECG interpretation and standard continued education are needed to develop and improve the emergency nurses and EMS personnel ECG interpretation competency.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1712-1719
Number of pages8
JournalNursing Open
Volume8
Issue number4
Early online date21 Feb 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - 1 Jul 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. This article approved and financially supported by the Research Deputy of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. The present study is a part of the emergency nursing Msc thesis. Hence, the researchers feel obliged to appreciate all authorities of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences and Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery that supported them financially and spiritually to conduct this research. In addition, we are grateful to all emergency nurses and EMS personnel that participated in this study. We would like to thank the Dr. Mireia Llaurado-Serra for the kind permission to use the ?questionnaire about electrocardiography interpretation competence? in this study. We would also like to thank the Clinical Research Development Unit, Sina Educational, Research and Treatment Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, for their assistance in this research.

Funding Information:
This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not‐for‐profit sectors. This article approved and financially supported by the Research Deputy of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Authors. Nursing Open published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Keywords

  • ECG interpretation
  • Emergency nursing
  • ECG
  • ECG interpretation competency
  • emergency nursing
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Humans
  • Iran
  • Nurses
  • Electrocardiography
  • Emergency Medical Services

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