Is current training in basic and advanced cardiac life support(BLS & ACLS) effective? A study of BLS & ACLS knowledge amongst healthcare professionals of North-Kerala

BACKGROUND:Healthcare professionals are expected to have knowledge of current basic and advanced cardiac life support(BLS/ACLS) guidelines to revive unresponsive patients.METHODS:Across-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the current practices and knowledge of BLS/ACLS principles among healthcare professionals of North-Kerala using pretested self-administered structured questionnaire.Answers were validated in accordance with American Heart Association’s BLS/ACLS teaching manual and the results were analysed.RESULTS:Among 461 healthcare professionals,141(30.6%) were practicing physicians,268(58.1%) were nurses and 52(11.3%) supporting staff.The maximum achievable score was 20(BLS15/ACLS 5).The mean score amongst all healthcare professionals was 8.9±4.7.The mean score among physicians,nurses and support staff were 8.6±3.4,9±3.6 and 9±3.3 respectively.The majority of healthcare professionals scored <50%(237,51.4%);204(44.3%) scored 51%-80%and 20(4.34%)scored >80%.Mean scores decreased with age,male sex and across occupation.Nurses who underwent BLS/ACLS training previously had significantly higher mean scores(10.2±3.4) than untrained(8.2±3.6,P=0.001).Physicians with <5 years experience(P=0.002) and nurses in the private sector(P=0.003)had significantly higher scores.One hundred and sixty three(35.3%) healthcare professionals knew the correct airway opening manoeuvres like head tilt,chin lift and jaw thrust.Only 54(11.7%) respondents were aware that atropine is not used in ACLS for cardiac arrest resuscitation and 79(17.1%) correctly opted ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia as shockable rhythms.The majority of healthcare professionals(356,77.2%) suggested that BLS/ACLS be included in academic curriculum.CONCLUSION:Inadequate knowledge of BLS/ACLS principles amongst healthcare professionals,especially physicians,illuminate lacunae in existing training systems and merit urgent redressal.