A survey of anaesthesiology residents' knowledge of resuscitation guidelines.

BACKGROUND: Several surveys have been published, documenting the lack of knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) among anaesthesiology residents. As a result, we decided to assess the competency of local trainees in basic and advanced CPR.

METHODS: The survey was conducted among 26 residents in anaesthesiology who were asked twice (at the beginning, and at the end of refresher courses) to complete an open test on adult and paediatric CPR guidelines.

RESULTS: The results in the first, introductory surveys were poor. Most of the wrong answers concerned the age borderline between an adult and a child; the correct CPR sequences and their modification in children; and paediatric medication. The respondents were not able to define all reversible causes of cardiac arrest. The second survey were somewhat better, but the respondents could still not name the correct lidocaine dosage in all age groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Residents in anaesthesiology show the tendency their knowledge of resuscitation guidelines to decay. Refresher life support courses should be mandatory for this group of physicians.