ASSESSMENT OF NURSES KNOWLEDGE AND PRATICE REGARDING CARE OF PATIENTs UNDERGOING PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Cardiovascular diseases, particularly myocardial infarction, remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, with increasing reliance on interventional procedures such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for effective management. While PCI significantly improves patient outcomes by restoring coronary perfusion, the quality of post-procedural care is a critical determinant of recovery and complication prevention. Nurses play a central role in the continuum of care, including patient preparation, monitoring, complication detection, and education. However, evidence from low- and middle-income countries indicates substantial gaps in nurses’ knowledge and clinical practice related to PCI care, which may adversely affect patient safety and outcomes.

OBJECTIVES
The study aimed to assess nurses’ knowledge regarding pre-procedural care of patients undergoing PCI, evaluate their practices in immediate post-procedural care, identify gaps between knowledge and practice, examine the association of demographic variables with knowledge and practice levels, and propose recommendations for improving nursing competencies through targeted education and training programs.

METHODOLOGY
A descriptive cross-sectional study design with a quantitative approach was employed. The study was conducted among 180 registered nurses working in cardiac and general units of a tertiary care hospital in Lahore, selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a structured Likert-scale questionnaire comprising 15 items (8 knowledge and 7 practice questions). The tool was adapted from recent validated studies and demonstrated acceptable reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.768). Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations were used to summarize findings, while inferential analysis examined associations between demographic variables and knowledge-practice scores.

RESULTS
The findings revealed significant deficiencies in both knowledge and practice among nurses regarding PCI patient care. A majority of participants lacked adequate understanding of myocardial infarction pathophysiology, PCI indications, post-procedural complications, mobilization protocols, and medication management. Over 60% of nurses were unable to recognize post-PCI complications or perform standard monitoring practices consistently. Awareness of international guidelines, such as the ESC 2023 recommendations, was notably low (approximately 80% unfamiliarity). Practice-related gaps included inadequate vital sign monitoring, poor patient education, limited adherence to standardized protocols, and insufficient involvement of patients and families in care planning. Nurses with higher qualifications (BSN/Post RN BSN) and greater clinical experience demonstrated relatively better knowledge and practice, although overall competency remained suboptimal.

CONCLUSION
The study highlights considerable gaps in nurses’ knowledge and clinical practice regarding PCI patient care, which may compromise patient safety and recovery outcomes. These findings underscore the urgent need for structured, evidence-based training programs, integration of cardiac care modules into nursing curricula, and implementation of standardized clinical protocols. Continuous professional development initiatives and institutional support are essential to enhance nursing competencies, ensure adherence to international guidelines, and improve the quality of care for patients undergoing PCI.