Roohi Ilyas, Khan Shah-e Zaman, Nousheen Pradhan, Hina Feroz, Zahid Jamal, Najma Amjad, Tahir Saghir, Amin Khwaja, Salman Ghauri, Qasim Ahmed.
Retention of knowledge and skills of basic life support among health care providers trained in tertiary care hospital.
Pak Heart J Jan ;47(1):39-45.

Objective: The study assesses the retention of knowledge and skills of basic life support training, among health care providers (HCP) who attended the Basic Life Support (BLS) course. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at tertiary care Cardiac Hospital, Karachi. The sample was taken from among the BLS trained staff of the hospital. Data was collected using the accredited American Heart Association's Critical Skill Checklist for skills, and a self prepared questionnaire including the demographic information of the medical/paramedical staff, and the personal experience/attitude and knowledge of BLS based on 2010 AHA guidelines. Results: After excluding incomplete questionnaire, the data from 106 responders calculated. There people analyzed were, 4 clinical faculty members (3.8%). Post graduate students were 36(34.3%). House officers were 6 in numbers (5.7%). Nurses were 46(43.8%). Other health assistants were 13(12.4%). Results indicate that the retention of knowledge and skills were adequate in most parameters, but it was found that retention of knowledge and skill was better in doctors as compared to paramedical staff. Depending upon the place of work, those working in Emergency Room or were frequently were required to do CPR in CCU or wards were better off with the skills and knowledge of BLS. Conclusion: The average health personnel in our hospital found to have adequate skills in CPR/BLS. But to remain knowledgeable and be ready for prompt action at time of sudden cardiac arrest, their reflexes should be more alert. This can be achieved by more frequent update courses.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com