Emergency nurses' knowledge of evidence-based ischemic stroke care: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this pilot study was to assess emergency nurses' knowledge of evidence-based ischemic stroke care.


METHODS
A descriptive, correlational design was used. Emergency nurses (N = 20) working in 2 hospitals in the Mid-Atlantic region completed a 10-item multiple choice test on evidence-based ischemic stroke care.


RESULTS
Test scores ranged from 30% to 90%, with a mean of 53% (SD = 12.93) on a scale of 0 to 100%. Forty-five percent (N = 9) of respondents indicated that they read literature on evidence-based ischemic stroke care within the previous 12 months. Respondents who read literature on evidence-based ischemic stroke care had a significantly higher mean test score (P = .04) than did respondents who did not read any literature on evidence-based ischemic stroke care. Only 15% (N = 3) of respondents reported that they had participated in continuing education on evidence-based ischemic stroke care within the previous 12 months. In addition, there was a significant correlation (P = .02) between number of years worked in emergency nursing as a registered nurse and test scores. Nurses with more years experience in emergency nursing had higher test scores.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, emergency nurses demonstrated a knowledge deficit in evidence-based ischemic stroke care. The majority of nurses had not participated in continuing education on evidence-based ischemic stroke care within the previous 12 months. Nurses should be provided with evidence-based education on ischemic stroke care and opportunities to participate in continuing education.
Harper
John P
JP
QM&I and Per Diem Clinical Educator, Taylor Hospital, Ridley Park, PA, USA. harpjp2@verizon.net
D000328:Adult; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications*; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000451:nursing; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004522:Educational Status; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008873:Mid-Atlantic Region; D008875:Middle Aged; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000451:nursing; D013997:Time Factors