BLS Knowledge: A comparison between clinical and basic medical professionals

Abstract

Introduction Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is performed on sudden cardiac arrest patients. There is significant morbidity and mortality due to SCA and choking. This high incidence raises a question regarding knowledge of BLS in health care professionals. Therefore, we will be assessing knowledge of BLS among clinical and basic medical health care professionals. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted on the Medical professionals of Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU) and Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) to assess their knowledge of BLS, within a period of 10 months. Data was collected from 94 participants using a pretested questionnaire through convenient sampling technique. Adequate knowledge was assessed and compared between medical professionals of JSMU and JPMC. P-value was taken significant if it were <0.05 after applying chi-square test. Result The mean age of participants was 33.0 ± 8.66 years. 48% candidates were related to Academics Faculty whereas 52% were Clinical Faculty. Overall 60 (63.8%) responders had “Adequate Knowledge”. Out of those, 23 (38.3%) were from JSMU and 37 (61.6%) were from JPMC. There was a significant difference of knowledge of BLS among the institutes (p-value= 0.003). There was also significant difference of adequate knowledge of participants of JSMU who have had previous BLS training and those who haven’t (p value =0.05). Conclusion BLS knowledge of medical professionals should be frequently revised and updated because they should be competent enough to handle any emergency situation, be it in a hospital or outside of it. Furthermore, this updated knowledge will have a positive effect on their students.