Emergency Medical Technicians' Long Term Retention Following Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Training: A Follow Up Study

Background: Effective management of emergency critical situations in pre-hospital setting by healthcare providers working in 112 Ambulance Service as first responders has a vital importance, since it is directly associated with mortality and morbidity rates’ of these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)’s knowledge and cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills retention one year following of ACLS course and the factors can have an effect on retention. Methods: The course included lecture, skill training, team-based practice with 6 simulated arrest scenarios. First Evaluation (FE) was performed during course. After one year (retention evaluation) all participants performed the same scenarios (Second evaluation-SE). Resuscitation skills were assessed with a checklist. Participants knowledge was evaluated with Multiple Choice Questionnaire before (MCQ1), at the end of the course (MCQ2) and during retention evaluation (MCQ3). Results: 42 EMTs participated in this study. SE score was significantly higher in 32% EMTs, was similar or higher (not significant)in 25% EMTs than FE score. Correct answer percentage was 49.3% MCQ1, 82.8% MCQ2 and 69.4% MCQ3. Seventy three percent of the participants with higher SE score were experienced 2-5 years (versus experienced< 2 years) and 68% of them having an average number of 150 arrest patients in a year (versus<150 arrest patient/year). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that; knowledge and cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills improved after ACLS course including simulated scenarios. Nonetheless in a long term period (1 year) a significant decline in retention was observed in both knowledge and skills. Being more experienced than 2 years and having more than 150 arrest patients in a year seem to have a positive effect on this long-term retention.