A STUDY ON HEART FAILURE EDUCATION PRINCIPLES: ARE NURSES EQUIPPED WITH KNOWLEDGE?

Abstract

Introduction: Approximately 3-20/1000 Malaysians are suffering from heart failure. Nurses are in the frontline to provide heart failure patient education to make a significant difference to the patient's health outcomes. The objectives of the study are to assess the registered nurses' knowledge of heart failure education principles and its association between demographic data, and knowledge of heart failure education principles among registered nurses' in a private hospital, Perak, Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted among 140 participants. Nurse Knowledge of Heart Failure Education Principles (NKHFEP) survey was adopted and used. Results: Total mean score was 12.94 (SD = 2.201), which suggested there were gaps in nurses' knowledge in heart failure education principles. Questions which achieved total correct response scores of > 90% were: drinking fluids when thirsty, fatigue and leg weakness/low exercise tolerance. Total correct response scores of < 30% were: dry weight, asymptomatic low BP and dizziness. There was significant association between nurses' heart failure knowledge to the participants' demographic variables were working department, working experience and nursing qualifications. Conclusion: Registered nurses have inadequate knowledge in heart failure education principles. Nurses need to have strong knowledge on self-management principles which would have potential impact on reducing hospital re-admission, improving quality of life and increase patient satisfaction.