Electrocardiogram interpretation competency among emergency nurses and emergency medical service (EMS) personnel: A cross-sectional and comparative descriptive study

Maryam Rahimpour; Shahla Shahbazi; Mansour Ghafourifard; Neda Gilani; Cathal Breen

doi:10.1002/nop2.809

Electrocardiogram interpretation competency among emergency nurses and emergency medical service (EMS) personnel: A cross-sectional and comparative descriptive study

Nurs Open. 2021 Jul;8(4):1712-1719. doi: 10.1002/nop2.809. Epub 2021 Feb 21.

Authors

Maryam Rahimpour¹, Shahla Shahbazi², Mansour Ghafourifard¹, Neda Gilani³, Cathal Breen⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
² Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery and Clinical Research Development Unit, Sina Educational, Research and Treatment Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
³ Department of Statistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
⁴ Institute of Nursing and Health Research, School of Health Sciences, Ulster University, Ulster, UK.

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this research study was to compare electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation competency among emergency nurses and EMS personnel.

Design: A cross-sectional comparative descriptive study design was used.

Methods: This study recruited 170 participants (105 emergency nurses and 65 EMS personnel) in northwest of Iran. Data were collected during 2018 using ECG, an interpretation competency questionnaire and analysed using SPSS V.24 through independent t test, linear regression, Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficient. A statistical significance of p < .05 was assumed.

Results: The study results showed a mean score of 6.65 ± 2.16 out of 10 for emergency nurses' and 4.87 ± 1.81 for EMS personnel ECG interpretation competency (p < .05).

Conclusions: Hospital emergency nurses were more qualified to interpret the ECG than the pre-hospital emergency medical personnel (p = .792 and β (SE)) = 0.22 (0.84). Active involvement in ECG interpretation and standard continued education are needed to develop and improve the emergency nurses and EMS personnel ECG interpretation competency.

Keywords: ECG interpretation competency; electrocardiography; emergency medical services personnel; emergency nursing; nurses.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Cross-Sectional Studies
Electrocardiography
Emergency Medical Services*
Humans
Iran
Nurses*