When knowing how to read an ECG tracing makes a difference: observational study on nursing skills.

INTRODUCTION The nursing profession is gaining increasing importance within both public and private healthcare systems, due to the responsibilities assumed based on the clinical tasks performed. One such task is the interpretation of the electrocardiogram (ECG), which, in addition to its correct execution, can help prevent adverse or even fatal events in at-risk patients. OBJECTIVE To investigate the level of ECG-related knowledge among nursing professionals. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional observational study was conducted through a social media-based sampling strategy, using an online questionnaire. A total of 308 responses were collected. RESULTS 98.1% of the sample considers it important to have knowledge in the field of ECG interpretation, but only 15.2% have a master's degree in cardiology or critical and emergency area training and 38.3% of participants have never participated in ECG-related training events. 84% of the questions were answered correctly. The traces that obtained the lowest number of correct answers were those corresponding to pathological Q wave (30.5% correct) and atrial tachycardia (15.3%). The questions with the highest correct answer rate, on the other hand, were respectively the order of the main waves that appear in the ECG (94.2%) and ventricular fibrillation (84.7%). CONCLUSIONS Although the discipline of cardiology has been part of nursing training since its inception, first in regional schools and now in three-year degree courses, further theoretical and practical study could lead to an improvement in nursing skills regarding the interpretation of the ECG.