Training needs and qualifications of anaesthesiologists not exposed to ALS

Objectives: To establish which needs exist for specific training in Advance d Cardiac Life Support (ALS) in anaesthesiology residents and interns not e xposed to structured ALS courses. Methods: 48 residents, and seven interns accepted for training in anaesthesiology, were tested in a spontaneous, bli nd, cross-sectional, prospective assessment using a recording manikin with validated scoring system, a questionnaire, and 35 multiple-choice questions . Results: 65% admitted not having had any CPR training within the last 2 y ears. The answers were correct in 55 +/- 14% of the cases, increasing signi ficantly with the length of training (P = 0.001). One-rescuer CPR skills we re inadequate: only 13% (n = 7) of participants scored within acceptable li mits when using the Berden Scoring system (Berden et al., Resuscitation 199 2;13:31-41), which assigned weighted error points to BLS skills, No correla tion with skill was noted with increased length of residency, confidence, E R or ICU experience, or participation in CPR-incidents. Conclusions: anaest hesiology residents and interns were not able to demonstrate BLS skills pro perly even while in training and did not recognize this themselves. CPR-rel ated knowledge is poor and increases only incidentally over the years of re sidency even though participants were frequently confronted with seminars a nd resuscitation situations, and see protocols daily. The use of multiple-c hoice questions and the Berden scoring system avoids difficulties in evalua ting case-scenario type of tests. We suggest that trainees are motivated to take part in standardized, intensive, recognised ALS courses which emphasi ze BLS skills and require (re)certification. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Irel and Ltd. All rights reserved.