Cohort study to evaluate nursing team performance in a theoretical test after training in cardiopulmonary arrest.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate nursing professionals' theoretical knowledge of cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) treatment before specific training, immediately after, and six months later.


METHODS
Cohort study, performed in a cardiology hospital in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul (November/2005 to May/2006), Brazil. Nurses, nursing technicians and assistants were included. A questionnaire was administered in the three periods, and 75% of correct answers was considered a satisfactory result.


RESULTS
Thirty-five nurses participated in the pre-test, and 34 in the immediate and 6-month tests. Among technicians and assistants, 232, 227, and 104 participated in the pre-test, immediate, and 6-months tests, respectively. Among nurses, 62.9% achieved an adequate percentage of correct answers in the pre-test, 94.1% in the immediate, and 64.7% in the 6-months test; for nursing technicians and assistants, these values were 36.2%, 79.3%, and 62.5%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Training in CPA improved the nursing professionals' knowledge immediately after its administration, with a reduction in the rate of correct answers after 6 months.
Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Renata da Costa
Rda C
Brião
Emiliane Nogueira
EN
de Souza
Raquel Azevedo
RA
de Castro
Eneida Rejane
ER
Rabelo
D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004506:Education, Nursing; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009746:Nursing, Team