A comparison of resuscitation skills of qualified general nurses and ambulance nurses in The Netherlands.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the ability of qualified general nurses to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation and to compare these skills with those of a group of ambulance nurses.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional assessment of practical cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills.

SUBJECTS

141 Dutch general nurses.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The practical skills were tested with six primary variables that describe the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques in a training situation. A total score on the skills was computed based on a predefined scoring system.

RESULTS

The percentage of general nurses who were able to achieve a pass score (i.e., the total score did not exceed 15 penalty points) was 6.4 percent. The average score was 37.8 penalty points. Eighty-eight percent of the ambulance nurses achieved a pass score. The average number of penalty points was 10.5.

CONCLUSIONS

The practical skills in cardiopulmonary resuscitation are insufficient in the majority of this sample of general nurses in The Netherlands. The findings of this study should be used as a base to design an optimal form and content of an educational re-instruction program. We expect that a considerable improvement could be achieved by more frequent cardiopulmonary resuscitation re-instruction.