Basic life support:knowledge and attitude of medical/paramedical professionals

BACKGROUND:Basic life support(BLS),a key component of the chain of survival decreases the arrest-cardiopulmonary resuscitation interval and increases the rate of hospital discharge.The study aimed to explore the knowledge of and attitude towards basic life support(BLS)among medical/paramedical professionals.METHODS:An observational study was conducted by assessing response to self prepared questionnaire consisting of the demographic information of the medical/paramedical staff,their personnel experience/attitude and knowledge of BLS based on the 2005 BLS Guidelines of European Resuscitation Council.RESULTS:After excluding incomplete questionnaires,the data from 121 responders(27 clinical faculty members,21 dental and basic sciences faculty members,29 house officers and 44 nurses and health assistants)were analyzed.Only 9(7.4%)of the 121 responders answered≥11,53(43%)answered 7-10,and 58(48%)answered<7 of 15 questions correctly.The clinical faculty members,house officers and nurses/HA had a mean score of 7.4±3.15,7.37±2.02 and 6.63±2.16 respectively,while dental/basic sciences faculty members attained a least mean score of 4.52±2.13(P<0.001).Those who had received cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR)training within 5 years obtained a highest mean score of 8.62±2.49,whereas those who had the training more than 5 years back or no training obtained a mean score of 5.54±2.38 and 6.1±2.29 respectively(P=0.001).Those who were involved in resuscitation frequently had a higher median score of 8 in comparison to those who were seldom involved or not involved at all(P<0.001).CONCLUSIONS:The average health personnel in our hospital lack adequate knowledge in CPR/BLS.Training and experience can enhance knowledge of CPR of these personnel.Thus standard of CPR/BLS training and assessment are recommended at our hospital.