Nurses’ knowledge and self-reported adherence to advanced life support guidelines during in-hospital cardiac arrest in a referral hospital in Ghana

Introduction

Adherence to Advanced Life Support guidelines is vital for improving patient survival during a cardiac arrest. Nurses are often the first responders during inhospital cardiac arrests. This study assessed nurses’ knowledge of advanced life support guidelines and their self-reported adherence to recommended practices during in-hospital cardiac arrest.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed. Using simple random sampling, 138 registered nurses were recruited from the New Tafo Government Hospital in Ghana. A structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant data on the participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge on and self-reported adherence to advanced life support guidelines. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for analysis.

Results

Less than half (39.9%) of nurses demonstrated good knowledge of advanced life support guidelines, with a similar proportion (34.8%) showing high self-reported adherence to advanced life support guidelines in simulated scenarios, and confidence level (39.8%) in responding to a cardiac arrest. Most respondents (65.2%) had never performed CPR in a clinical setting, and only 22.5% had participated in a simulation exercise. Recent advanced life support training (within the past 12 months) and greater years of clinical experience were significantly associated with higher knowledge levels.

Discussion

Nurses’ knowledge of and self-reported adherence to advanced life support guidelines, as well as confidence level in responding to a cardiac arrest situation were low. Regular, structured advanced life support refresher training incorporating simulation and practical drills is essential to enhance nurses’ readiness and performance during cardiac emergencies