title: Nurses' experiences of performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation in intensive care units: a qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the nurses' experiences of performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation in intensive care units.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Research in the area of resuscitation is primarily concentrated on medical and biophysical aspects. The subjective experiences of those who perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation and their emotions are more seldom addressed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative descriptive design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative semi-structured interviews were used (n = 8). Data were analysed with content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three categories describe the experiences of nurses: training and precardiopulmonary resuscitation; chaos and order during cardiopulmonary resuscitation; and debriefing postcardiopulmonary resuscitation. The study results indicate that the health care staff find it necessary to practice cardiopulmonary resuscitation, as it provides them with a basic feeling of security when applying it in actual situations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We argue that postcardiopulmonary resuscitation debriefing must be viewed in the light of its eigenvalue with a specific focus on the staff's experiences and emotions, and not only on the intention of identifying errors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Debriefing is of the utmost importance for the nurses. Clinical leaders may make use of the findings of this study to introduce debriefing forums as a possible standard clinical procedure.
authors: Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden.
authors: Fredric
authors: F
authors: Sjöberg
authors: Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden.
authors: Emil
authors: E
authors: Schönning
authors: Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden.
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Salzmann-Erikson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000451:nursing*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D017132:Workplace
keywords: cardiopulmonary resuscitation; in-hospital; nursing; qualitative design; resuscitation