# Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Experiences of Perfusionists on the Safety of Cardiopulmonary Perfusion

## TL;DR

This study assesses perfusionists' knowledge and attitudes toward safety during open-heart surgeries in Turkey, finding a need for more training to prevent accidents.

## Contribution

The study identifies gaps in perfusion safety knowledge among Turkish perfusionists and highlights the need for improved education and training.

## Key findings

- Turkish perfusionists are motivated to ensure safety but lack sufficient knowledge about preventing perfusion accidents.
- Educational institutions and clinics have not adequately prepared perfusionists in safety-related knowledge.
- Including perfusion safety courses in academic curricula could improve safety practices and reduce accidents.

## Abstract

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.

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.

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.

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.