Nursesʼ Knowledge of Heart Failure Education Topics as Reported in a Small Midwestern Community Hospital

Recurrent heart failure (HF) is the most common cause for readmission of elderly patients with HF. Patient education is an essential component of care for these patients. Healthcare providers must have a sufficient knowledge base to facilitate this education. This study aims to describe nurses' knowledge of HF self-management education principles. Fifty-one nurses working in a small Midwestern community hospital completed a 20-item true or false written survey developed by Albert et al (Heart Lung. 2002;31:102-112) to assess their knowledge of 5 areas of HF self-management. The sample included 14 nurses working in an intensive care unit and 41 nurses working on a general medical unit, all routinely providing care to patients with HF. The mean (+/-SD) HF self-care knowledge score was 14.6 +/- 2 (range = 9-19). There was no statistical difference in mean score between intensive care unit (14.7 +/- 1.6) and floor (14.5 +/- 2.1) nurses. Correct responses to individual survey items ranged from 20% to 100%; 6 questions resulted in mean scores >90% correct, 9 questions had mean scores between 70% and 90% correct, and 5 questions had mean scores <70% correct. Most respondents (90%) answered 6 questions correctly, but on 9 questions, 70% and 90% answered correctly. On 5 questions, less than 70% answered them correctly. Two questions (need for daily weight monitoring when asymptomatic and the importance of notifying the doctor of new onset or worsening of fatigue) were answered correctly by all participants. Subject areas of frequently missed questions were the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, use of potassium-based salt substitutes, assessment of weight results, and physician notification of asymptomatic low blood pressure and momentary dizziness when rising. These results suggest that nurses working in a small community hospital may not be sufficiently knowledgeable in HF management principles. Additional emphasis on HF educational principles may improve the quality of patient education. One suggested intervention is to provide ongoing education for nurses regarding HF management.