Perceived competence in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, knowledge and practice among qualified nurses in Kuwait

Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation [CPR] is critical element in,the prevention of sudden death. Sufficient knowledge of health personnel including nurses is highly critical. The aim of this study was to assess the theoretical knowledge, experience and attitude regarding CPR of qualified nurses in Kuwait. The study is a cross-sectional survey that was conducted during summer 2006 in the Capital Health Region of Kuwait, including all registered nurses working in 21 primary health care centers. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to all registered nurses. It included personal characteristics, training and practice of resuscitation, perceived competence regarding practical skills. It also included multiple choice questions to assess nurses' knowledge about CPR. Nurses' knowledge was transformed into percentage score. Factors that could affect nurses' knowledge were studied. Out of 279 questionnaires, 165 were returned back with 59.1% response rate. The majority of them [86.1%] had attended CPR session as a part of the nursing school curriculum and 65.5% of the nurses had participated in a CPR learning session other than in curriculum. It was found that 26.7% of the nurses had never participated in real resuscitation attempt. Overall, the median knowledge score of the included registered nurses were 42.9% for CPR and 52.0% for ECG. Factors that affected nurses' knowledge score were years of experience, participation in resuscitation session other than in curriculum, attempting real resuscitation and self confidence of the nurses. Nurses' knowledge score was poor, and actual testing of skill might have produced results of an even lower level. Nurses in units should receive compulsory training and retraining in CPR skills with periodic retesting of knowledge and skills