title: Retention of Baseline Electrocardiographic Knowledge After a Blended-Learning Course.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Among nurses, skill retention after an electrocardiography blended-learning course is unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare 3- and 8-week electrocardiography test scores, compare scores by nurse and work characteristics and self-assessed electrocardiographic competence, and compare 1-year work retention with 3- and 8-week scores and change in scores from week 3 to week 8.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected on demographics, comfort with electrocardiography expectations, electrocardiography competence levels, and 1-year work retention. Correlational and comparative statistics were used in analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 69 nurses, 58% were somewhat comfortable with interventions for abnormal rhythms. Test scores were higher at 3 weeks than at 8 weeks: mean difference, 26%; P < .001. Scores at 8 weeks reflected intermediate skill retention and were not associated with nurse characteristics, electrocardiography background, comfort with rhythms and measurements, or 1-year work retention. Nurses with greater comfort for intervening when rhythm abnormalities occurred had higher median 8-week scores (P = .01) than did nurses with less comfort, and perceptions of electrocardiographic competence were associated with 8-week scores (r = 0.28; P = .02). Reduction in scores at 8 weeks was less severe in nurses with greater comfort at 3 weeks in measuring electrocardiographic intervals (P = .008) and applying therapeutic interventions (P = .009).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Skill retention and competence in electrocardiographic interpretation were intermediate and correlated with baseline self-assessment. Electrocardiographic interpretation, measurement, and interventions should be reinforced at the bedside.
authors.affiliation: Carol Ann Brooks is a clinical instructor and Nancy Kanyok is an education nurse specialist, Office of Nursing Education and Professional Practice Development, Nursing Institute; Nancy M. Albert is associate chief nursing officer, Office of Research and Innovation, Nursing Institute; and Colin O'Rourke is a biostatistician, Quantitative Health Science, Cleveland Clinic Health System, Cleveland, Ohio. brooksc2@ccf.org.
authors.forename: Carol Ann
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Brooks
authors.affiliation: Carol Ann Brooks is a clinical instructor and Nancy Kanyok is an education nurse specialist, Office of Nursing Education and Professional Practice Development, Nursing Institute; Nancy M. Albert is associate chief nursing officer, Office of Research and Innovation, Nursing Institute; and Colin O'Rourke is a biostatistician, Quantitative Health Science, Cleveland Clinic Health System, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kanyok
authors.affiliation: Carol Ann Brooks is a clinical instructor and Nancy Kanyok is an education nurse specialist, Office of Nursing Education and Professional Practice Development, Nursing Institute; Nancy M. Albert is associate chief nursing officer, Office of Research and Innovation, Nursing Institute; and Colin O'Rourke is a biostatistician, Quantitative Health Science, Cleveland Clinic Health System, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: O'Rourke
authors.affiliation: Carol Ann Brooks is a clinical instructor and Nancy Kanyok is an education nurse specialist, Office of Nursing Education and Professional Practice Development, Nursing Institute; Nancy M. Albert is associate chief nursing officer, Office of Research and Innovation, Nursing Institute; and Colin O'Rourke is a biostatistician, Quantitative Health Science, Cleveland Clinic Health System, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Nancy M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Albert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult