An Evaluation of Nurse Anesthetists’ Acquisition and Retention of Knowledge and Skill Performance for Brief Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support Training

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acquisition and retention of knowledge and skills of basic (BLS) and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) for nurse anesthetists at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital. METHODS The one-group pretest-posttest design study was used. BLS and ACLS training comprised a brief BLS and ACLS review and practice. Knowledge was assessed by multiple-choice questions. The BLS skills were assessed by observing CPR performance on a Resusci- Anne-skill meter manikin and ACLS skills were evaluated using ACLS scenarios. The knowledge and skills were assessed before and after the training weekly for four weeks, and then at three months after the training ended. RESULTS A total of 38 nurse anesthetists participated in the study. There were significant increases in BLS and ACLS knowledge and skills after the training. However, there was short retention of BLS and ACLS knowledge and skills at three months after the training. Foreign body airway obstruction and assessing unresponsiveness were the two most common of BLS skills degradation. While the primary and secondary assessment, assessing ACLS algorithms, electrocardiogram recognition and electrical therapy were the common skills performance of ACLS skills degradation. CONCLUSIONS After the BLS and ACLS training, the knowledge and skills were significantly improved but there was short retention of knowledge and skills at three months after the training. Regular refreshment of CPR education is recommended to enhance the retention of knowledge and practice of nurse anesthetists KEYWORDS knowledge and skills retention, nurse anesthetists, acquisition, basic life support, advanced cardiac life support