ReviewSAGE open nursing
Capability of Emergency and Critical Care Nurses in Electrocardiogram Interpretation: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review.
Review in SAGE open nursing. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation is a time-critical competency for emergency and critical care nurses. Accurate recognition of life-threatening arrhythmias and ischemic changes is essential for timely intervention and improved patient outcomes. However, evidence suggests substantial variability in nurses' ECG interpretation capability across clinical settings. Objective: This study aimed to systematically synthesize evidence on the competency of emergency and critical care nurses in ECG interpretation and to identify factors influencing performance. Methods: A mixed-methods systematic review was conducted. Databases including PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar were searched from inception to March 2025. Empirical studies assessing ECG interpretation knowledge and skills among registered nurses in emergency or critical care settings were included. Quality was appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Results: The synthesis revealed that while nurses possess foundational knowledge, proficiency in identifying complex arrhythmias and acute myocardial infarction remains inconsistent. Performance is significantly influenced by years of specialized experience, frequency of exposure to cardiac monitoring, and the level of advanced life support training. According to Benner's framework, a majority of practitioners function at the novice or advanced beginner stages, highlighting a gap between clinical requirements and actual competence. Conclusion: This review demonstrates that ECG interpretation capability is a developmental skill requiring targeted institutional support. The researchers recommend the implementation of simulation-based longitudinal training and standardized competency assessments. Furthermore, nursing leadership should prioritize mentorship programs to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and expert clinical practice, thereby enhancing patient safety in high-acuity environments.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.