Nurses' role in the early defibrillation of cardiac patients: implications for nursing in Hong Kong

Contemporary Nurse
Iris S F Lee, Lisa P L Low

Abstract

The time taken to initiate early defibrillation is crucial to improve survival, prevent neurological deficit and improve the quality of life of patients suffering from sudden cardiac arrest. Despite the extension of training and the authorization of nurses to perform early defibrillation (advocated by the American Heart Association), such practice has not been widely adopted in hospitals. Inadequate knowledge, lack of skill retention, insufficient organizational support and the passive culture of nurses are barriers preventing the move towards nurse-led defibrillation. This paper discusses the need to extend the registered nurses' role in the early defibrillation of cardiac patients in Hong Kong. Current nursing practice in emergency resuscitation care and the hurdles constraining early defibrillation will be discussed. Recommendations to facilitate the future development of nurse-led defibrillation will also be provided. The successful extension of the registered nurses' role in early defibrillation will enable them to possess broader knowledge to be clinically competent in providing efficient patient care.

References

Mar 20, 1996·Nursing Standard·P Eastwick-Field
Feb 1, 1996·Intensive & Critical Care Nursing : the Official Journal of the British Association of Critical Care Nurses·H Inwood
May 20, 1999·The American Journal of Nursing·M E Mancini, W Kaye
Mar 20, 2001·JAMA : the Journal of the American Medical Association·J P MarencoN A Estes
Apr 2, 2004·International Journal of Nursing Practice·Trudy DwyerIan Jacobs
Feb 3, 2005·Journal of Perianesthesia Nursing : Official Journal of the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses·Judy Graham-GarciaJeannette Andrews

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Citations

Jun 7, 2011·Intensive & Critical Care Nursing : the Official Journal of the British Association of Critical Care Nurses·George C M HuiIris S F Lee
Jul 14, 2016·International Emergency Nursing·Sevinc TastanEmine Iyigun

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