Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine Sari Imam Khomeini Hospital Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
2
Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine Sari Imam Khomeini Hospital Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
3
Assistant Professor of Healthcare Services Management Department of Public Health, School of Health Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari , Iran
4
Assistant Professor of Clinical Biochemistry Amol School of Allied Medical Sciences Immunogenetic Research Center Non-Communicable Diseases Institute Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences,Sari,Iran
5
Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine Sari Imam Khomeini Hospital Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences - Diabetes Research Center, Institute of Herbal Medicines and Metabolic Disorders, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Abstract
Background: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a critical life-saving intervention in cases of cardiac and respiratory arrest. Nurses, as front-line healthcare providers in hospital settings, play a vital role in initiating and performing effective CPR. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practical skills of nurses at Imam Khomeini Teaching Hospital in Sari regarding the basic principles of CPR.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study was conducted in 1403. The research population included 149 nurses working in different departments of Imam Khomeini Center in Sari who were included in the study by census method. The data collection tool was a standard checklist prepared based on the guidelines of the Heart Association. To examine the normality of the scores obtained from the total nurses' knowledge and skills questionnaire, two statistical tests, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, were used.
Results: Most participants were female (65.1%) and held a bachelor’s degree in nursing (96.6%). Although all nurses reported prior theoretical familiarity with CPR, deficiencies were noted in critical areas of practical skills, including proper AED usage, correct depth and frequency of chest compressions, and effective artificial ventilation. No statistically significant differences were found in knowledge and skill scores based on age, gender, education level, work experience, or ward of employment (P>0.05).
Conclusion: Despite theoretical awareness, the nurses’ practical CPR skills, especially in high-stakes interventions, were suboptimal. This highlights the necessity of regular hands-on training, simulation-based learning, and continuous professional development programs to enhance CPR competencies in clinical settings.
Keywords
