Impact of Basic Life Support Training on Nurses’ Knowledge and Practice
Description
Introduction: Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) remains a significant cause of in-hospital mortality and morbidity in Ghana, with increasing incidence in the Assin Foso Municipality. Although nurses are continuously present at patients' bedsides, their ability to recognize and manage cardiac arrest using basic life support (BLS) is under scrutiny. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a structured BLS training program on nurses' knowledge and practical application of BLS at St. Francis Xavier Hospital. Methods: A one-group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design was adopted. Using a simple random sampling technique (lottery method), 101 nurses were selected. A seven-point Likert scale questionnaire based on the American Heart Association (AHA) 2020 guidelines assessed BLS knowledge, while practical skills were evaluated using the BLS task checklist from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana. Data were analyzed using paired sample t-tests and linear regression. Results: There was a significant improvement in BLS knowledge after training (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.38; 95% CI: 1.105–1.651) and in BLS practice (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 14.44; 95% CI: 12.40–16.42). Pre-training knowledge strongly predicted post-training knowledge (R² = 0.50), while pre-training practice moderately predicted post-training practice (R² = 0.12). Knowledge was not a predictor of practice at baseline but significantly influenced practice post-intervention (R² = 0.16). Conclusion: In-service BLS training significantly enhances both the knowledge and practical skills of nurses. Routine implementation of such programs may help reduce in-hospital mortality related to sudden cardiac arrest by strengthening frontline emergency response capacity.
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Data collection followed structured procedures appropriate for pretest-posttest studies. Five research assistants (four Emergency Nurses and one Emergency Physician Specialist) underwent a three-day training (6–8 November 2023) covering study protocols and instrument familiarization. Unique anonymous codes were assigned to ensure confidentiality and facilitate paired t-test analysis. Data collection spanned five weeks (13 November–11 December 2023), conducted exclusively on Mondays at 11 a.m. to enhance internal validity. On day one, baseline knowledge was assessed online with a 30-minute limit. Day two involved pretest BLS practice evaluation using the NMC checklist and two CPR manikins. Day three featured BLS training led by the Emergency Physician using PowerPoint, videos, and manikin demonstrations. Posttest knowledge and practice assessments followed on days four and five, respectively, mirroring pretest procedures. All practice assessments were rated by the trained Emergency Nurses using standardized NMC rubrics via Google Forms to ensure objectivity.
Institutions
- University of Cape Coast