Resuscitation Guideline 2000: What is the level of Awareness and Knowledge in Practicing Anaesthestists?

BACKGROUND: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was officially instituted in 1960. In 1992, the American Heart Association released the first set of resuscitation guidelines. Following a general consensus by experts drawn from various resuscitation councils worldwide, a new set of evidence based guidelines was released in August 2000. New guidelines were released in November 2005. PURPOSE: To determine the level of awareness and knowledge of the 2000 ‘Resuscitation Guidelines\' on the management of cardiopulmonary resuscitation among Nigerian Anaesthetists. METHOD: This was an unannounced, cross-sectional assessment using anonymous self-administered questionnaires. A structured questionnaire based on the UK interpretation of the Resuscitation Guidelines 2000 was sent to 10 teaching hospitals in Nigeria that offer Anaesthesia residency training and the questionnaire was also administered at an annual Anaesthetists\' gathering. Level of awareness of the guidelines and current management of cardiopulmonary resuscitation was assessed. RESULTS: 94 anaesthetists, 64 (68.1%) male; 30 (31.9%) female, from 13 hospitals in Nigeria responded (response rate 71.8%). Average age and post graduation years were 37.1+5.1 and 11.7+7.2 years respectively. 39.2%+17.2 was the average score obtained. 14.9% were aware of the resuscitation guidelines 2000 with consultants exhibiting greater awareness (