Knowledge Level of Healthcare Professionals on Basic and Advanced Life Support in Children

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to determine the knowledge level of nurses, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics about the basic and advanced life support guidelines in children. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted between July 2018 and August 2018, with 602 volunteer healthcare professionals, in Gaziantep of Turkey province of Turkey where the pediatric population is high. Following the 2015 guidelines of the American Heart Association, a questionnaire about basic and advanced life support in children and demographic data was administered. Statistical comparisons were made between the groups. Results: Of the 602 participants, 62% were male. The average age of the participants was 28.4 (minimum-maximum, 18-50) years. The basic and advanced knowledge scores of the nurses were lower than those of the emergency medical technicians and paramedics. Those who work in pediatric emergency departments and pediatric intensive care units, with 5-8 years of experience, and paramedics had high advanced life support scores and total knowledge scores. The basic life support knowledge scores and total knowledge scores of those with certification were good, but the advanced life support knowledge score was inadequate. Conclusion: The basic and advanced life support knowledge scores of the professionals were moderate, and the total knowledge scores of the nurses working in pediatric services were low. While basic life support knowledge scores of the paramedics and professionals working in emergency departments and child intensive care units were low, their advanced life support knowledge scores were high.