Knowledge Regarding Basic Life Support in Healthcare Professionals in Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar

Abstract

Background: Basic Life Support (BLS) is an essential life-saving skill required by healthcare professionals for the immediate management of cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, choking, and other life-threatening emergencies. Early recognition of emergencies, timely activation of help, high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and appropriate use of an automated external defibrillator can improve patient survival. Healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and paramedics, are expected to have adequate knowledge of BLS because they are often the first responders in hospital emergencies. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge regarding Basic Life Support among healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and paramedics, at Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 109 healthcare professionals at Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar. The participants included doctors, nurses, and paramedics. Data were collected regarding demographic characteristics, formal BLS training status, self-reported BLS awareness, and knowledge of practical BLS procedures. The collected data were analyzed through frequencies, percentages, chi-square test, and Spearman correlation to identify associations between participant characteristics and BLS knowledge level. Results: The majority of respondents were aged 31–40 years, male, and nurses by designation. Most participants had 4–6 years of working experience, bachelor-level education, and formal BLS training. Overall, the respondents demonstrated a good level of BLS knowledge. Most participants correctly identified the CPR steps, adult choking protocol, compression-to-ventilation ratio, AED indications, adult compression depth, compression rate, rescue breathing duration, infant compression method, and pediatric compression depth. Formal BLS training, designation, education level, and working experience showed statistically significant associations with BLS knowledge level, while gender showed no significant association. Conclusion: The study concluded that healthcare professionals at Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, had satisfactory knowledge regarding Basic Life Support. However, some gaps were observed in scenario-based areas such as unconscious choking management and pediatric/infant BLS. Regular refresher training, simulation-based practice, and periodic assessment are recommended to maintain and improve BLS knowledge and emergency response skills among healthcare professionals.

Keywords: Basic Life Support, BLS, CPR, AED, Healthcare professionals, Doctors, Nurses, Paramedics, Emergency Care, Hayatabad Medical Complex.