Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Experiences of Perfusionists on the Safety of Cardiopulmonary Perfusion
Abstract
Introduction
Perfusion accidents still threaten the safety of perfusion during open-heart surgery. To prevent these accidents and increase perfusion safety, it is important to first determine the profile of perfusionists. The aims of this study were to determine the current status of perfusion safety during open-heart surgeries in Turkiye and to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and experiences of perfusionists about cardiopulmonary perfusion safety.
Methods
First, 148 perfusionists answered the Perfusionists’ Attitudes on Perfusion Safety survey, and second, 109 perfusionists answered the Perfusion Safety and Accidents survey. In the first survey, perfusionists’ attitudes and opinions help us understand the profile of Turkish perfusionists. In the second survey, we tried to obtain experiences and data about perfusion accidents, experienced by the participant perfusionists, to make a detailed analysis.
Results
Turkish perfusionists are willing to ensure perfusion safety and prevent accidents. In this study, however, we found that educational institutions and clinics have not transmitted enough knowledge to perfusionists related to perfusion safety issues. There is some lack in the perfusionists knowledge about perfusion safety and preventing or reducing perfusion accidents.
Conclusion
Perfusionists need more training to ensure perfusion safety and to prevent perfusion accidents. It would be very beneficial to include a course on perfusion safety in academic settings that focuses on this subject in the curricula. Further comprehensive studies on this subject will make very important contributions to the practical perfusion applications in increasing perfusion safety and reducing perfusion accidents.