Nurses' competency in electrocardiogram interpretation in acute care settings: A systematic review
Yingyan Chen1, Elicia Kunst1, Dima Nasrawi1
1School of Health and Human Sciences, Gold Coast Campus, Southern Cross University, Bilinga, Queensland, Australia.
Journal of Advanced Nursing
|January 6, 2022
Summary
Nurses
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Cardiology
- Healthcare Education
Background:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation is a critical nursing skill in acute care.
- Varied competency levels among nurses can impact patient outcomes.
- Standardized assessment of ECG interpretation skills is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize evidence on nurses' competency in interpreting electrocardiograms in acute care settings.
- To identify factors influencing nurses' ECG interpretation skills and knowledge.
- To highlight gaps in current training and assessment methods.
Main Methods:
- A systematic mixed-studies review was conducted.
- Searches were performed in CINAHL, Medline, Scopus, and Cochrane databases.
- Data synthesis used a convergent design with qualitative content analysis.
Main Results:
- Forty-three studies were included, revealing inconsistent definitions of 'competency' in ECG interpretation.
- Nurses' knowledge varied significantly, influenced by individual, professional, and organizational factors.
- Skills and attitudes were infrequently assessed, with a focus primarily on knowledge.
Conclusions:
- Nurses report insufficient training and exposure to ECG interpretation, leading to variable competency.
- Standardized training and the development of a comprehensive ECG interpretation assessment tool are recommended.
- Further research is needed to enhance nurses' confidence and proficiency in ECG interpretation.
Keywords:
acute carecompetencyelectrocardiogram interpretationliterature reviewnursingsystematic mixed studies reviewMore Related Videos
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