الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
Abstract
Background: Temporary cardiac pacing provides electrical stimulation to a heart compromised by disturbances in the conduction system causing hemodynamic instability. The use of a temporary pacemaker to treat a bradydysrhythmia or in some cases, a tachydysryhthmia, is undertaken when the condition is temporary and a permanent pacemaker is not necessary or available in a timely fashion. Temporary cardiac pacing is utilized in acute situations and for critically ill patient populations requiring immediate therapy. Aim: The present study was conducted to assess nurses’ knowledge and practice regarding safety of patients with temporary cardiac pacemakers in the critical care units. Research design: A descriptive exploratory design was utilized to fulfill the aim of the study. Setting: coronary care units at National Heart Institute. Methods: A purposive sample of nurses working in coronary care units of National Heart Institue, 50 nurses from both genders, with different ages, educational levels and years of experience was selected for this study. Data were obtained using two main tools; self administered questionnaire and observational checklist. Result: Nearly three quarters of the studied nurses had unsatisfactory level of knowledge and incompetent level of practice regarding safety of patients with temporary cardiac pacemaker in the critical care units.There was a statistical significant relationship between demographic characteristics (age of the studied subjects, education, years of experience and training courses) regarding to total knowledge and practice of the studied subjects.While there was a statistical significant relationship between total practice level of the studied subjects regarding to total knowledge of the studied subjects.Conclusion: It was concluded that, several demographic factors were affecting nurses’ knowledge and practice such as (age, years of experience, level of education and attendance of training courses), in addition to the organizational factors and personal factors. Also it was found that the knowledge level was affecting the practice. Recommendations: Further study to evaluate the reflection of educational program regarding nurses’ performance, and replication on large sample &in different setting in order to generalize the results.