Assessment of awareness on basic life support among healthcare workers in a tertiary care teaching hospital in northern region of India

Abstract

Background Basic Life Support (BLS) serves as the basis for preserving lives following cardiac arrest, especially considering that heart disease ranks as the leading cause of death and constitutes a silent epidemic within the Indian population. Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) stands out as the primary global cause of mortality, concurrently contributing significantly to the loss of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Hence it is crucial for healthcare workers (HCW) to have substantial knowledge and awareness of BLS to help patients when they need it the most. This study aimed to assess the awareness on BLS among HCWs in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs in a tertiary care teaching hospital. A self-administered questionnaire was developed to assess knowledge on key BLS components, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques, use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), and the chain of survival. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Results Out of 206 responders, 60 were doctors, 122 were nursing staff and 24 were technicians. None of the responders have complete knowledge of basic life support, 58.8% mean percentage of knowledge. There was a significant difference in BLS knowledge between different professional groups, with doctors scoring higher than nurses and paramedics (p<0.001). Conclusion Even though healthcare professionals receive BLS training at a high rate, there remains a knowledge and retention gap in BLS abilities. Regular skills practice and updated training is recommended to enhance BLS proficiency.