Knowledge and Awareness Level Healthcare Professionals about Adult and Pediatric Basic Life Support

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate healthcare professionals' knowledge levels and attitudes toward adult and pediatric basic life support in a tertiary university hospital.
 Methods: The data of the research was collected by questionnaire method. A total of 351 healthcare professionals who agreed to participate in the study and filled out the questionnaire form were included in the analysis of the study. Twenty-nine questions about adult and pediatric basic life support were asked to the participants; each group was analyzed in terms of gender, age groups, working unit, working time, and duties.
 Results: The study was completed with 351 participants, mostly women, working in the emergency department and surgical sciences as research assistants, nurses, and health technicians, working for less than 5 years, and mostly over 26 years old. Most participants had received training in basic life support, used automatic external defibrillators, and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation before. The rate of correct answers to questions about general information about adult and pediatric basic life support, circulation, airway, defibrillation rhythms, and doses of drugs were low. A statistical difference was found in the total questionnaire score regarding duty, working time, and their department.
 Conclusion: The level of knowledge of healthcare professionals on adult and pediatric basic life support is inadequate and out of date and should be improved with education and training programs