Advanced Cardiac Life Support Knowledge among Medical Staff and Residents in University Hospital

Abstract

Background and Objective : Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) is an important knowledge among physicians to deal with cardiac arrest. Medical staff and residents who practice in high risk areas are required to possess ACLS knowledge and skills. To determine knowledge about ACLS in physicians including factors that influence ACLS knowledge in university hospital.

Methods : A descriptive of study of medical staff and residents who have been working at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Thailand, between May-July, 2008 was performed by stratified random sampling from the participated 12 clinical department. The test questions were modified from Advanced Cardiovascular life support guideline (American Heart Association). The total score more than 80% was  classified as being with sufficient knowledge whereas below 80% was lacking sufficient knowledge.

Results : Seventy physicians were enrolled to take the test. Up to 15.7% (95% CI 8.1-26.4) of those participants have scored over 80%. Mean+SD of percent of the total score, concepts of BLS and ACLS score, ECG interpretation score, medication score, and application score were 58.4+21.5, 55.9+26.5, 73.4 +26.0, 51.0+23.5, and 57.5+30.3, respectively. The statistical analysis suggests that physicians with higher frequency of ACLS practice and training had more knowledge on the issue than those with lower frequency of ACLS practice and training (p<0.05).

Conclusions: The number of physicians who had sufficient knowledge was low. Factors that influence the ACLS knowledge appeared to be the frequency of ACLS practice and training. From the data gathered,  the others recommends that ACLS training program should be incorporated into the routine works of physicians in our hospital in order to increase frequency of ACLS training.

Keywords: advanced cardiac life support; knowledge; physicians; university hospitals