A survey of opinion amongst trained nurses and junior medical staff on current practices in resuscitation

Abstract

An anonymously-completed questionnaire was used to examine the opinions of trained nurses and their junior medical colleagues regarding the resuscitation of a patient following cardiac arrest. Nurses were less satisfied with their pre-qualification training and recorded lower scores on a subjective assessment of performance than did the doctors. Those nurses who had attended some post-qualification training in resuscitation were significantly more confident of their resuscitation skills. Both doctors and nurses agreed on some frequently-encountered problems such as the presence of too many people and the uncertainty of those present of the role they should assume. Doctors recorded poor initial resuscitation and the absence of equipment as common problems significantly more often than did the nurses. Nurses showed a lack of knowledge of the drugs used during a resuscitation: 30% were unsure of the function of more than half of the drugs. Nearly 20% of nurses showed a similar lack of knowledge with regard to the equipment used. Those having post-qualification training in resuscitation recorded significantly greater knowledge in these areas. Widespread support was shown for the proposed initiation of compulsory resuscitation lectures, the presence on each ward of resuscitation equipment and more clearly defined roles for those taking part in the procedure. A requirement for a full-time resuscitation officer is clearly indicated.