[Investigation on nurses' knowledge of and experience in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and on nurses' knowledge of the guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care established in 2000--results of a survey at Asahikawa Medical College Hospital (second report)].

BACKGROUND: We reported that the practical knowledge and skill on basic life support were not enough among nursing staffs. Therefore, to clarify the existing conditions and issues in CPR education we carried out a survey on knowledge of and experience in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and on knowledge of the Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) established in 2000.

METHODS: Three hundred and four nurses at Asahikawa Medical College Hospital were asked to fill in questionnaires.

RESULTS: The results show that more than 80% of the nurses are much interested in CPR. Most of the nurses had received education and training in CPR as students or after graduation. However, cases of cardiopulmonary arrest and CPR were experienced by only about 40% of the nurses. Most of the nurses had never heard of the Guidelines for CPR and ECC in 2000.

CONCLUSION: The results of this survey demonstrate the need to provide more education (on CPR) to nursing staff.