Knowledge of Pharmacists about Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Medications in Saudi Arabia

Research Article

International Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Sciences, 2022, 11, 3, 82-91.
DOI: 10.5530/ijpcs.2022.11.15
Published: December 2022
Type: Research Article
Authors: Yousef Ahmed Alomi, Rola AL Kenani, Samah Mukhlef Alzaid, Wafa Hussain Alshehre, and Khawlah Ibrahim Alshahrani

Author(s) affiliations:

Yousef Ahmed Alomi*, BSc. Pharm, MSc. Clin Pharm, BCPS, BCNSP, DiBA, CDE, Critical care clinical pharmacists TPN clinical pharmacist Freelancer Business Planner, Content Editor, and Data Analyst, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Rola AL Kenani, BSc. Pharm, SSC-PhP, Nephrology Pharmacotherapy Specialist, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Samah Mukhlef Alzaid, Bsc. Pharm, Clin. Pharm, Clinical Pharmacy Services, Gurayat General Hospital, Ministry of Health, Gurayat, Saudi Arabia.

Wafa Hussain Alshehre, Pharm.D, BCSP, Drug Information Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Pharmacy Department, Aliman Hospital, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Khawlah Ibrahim Alshahrani, PharmD, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Objectives: To illustrate the knowledge of pharmacists about CPR medications services in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: The study analyzed a cross-sectional survey that discussed pharmacists’ knowledge of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) medications in Saudi Arabia. The survey consisted of respondents’ demographic information about pharmacists and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) drugs, assessment of primary and advanced knowledge, and the resources used for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) medications. The 5-point Likert response scale system was used with closed-ended questions. The survey was validated through the revision of expert reviewers and pilot testing. Various tests of reliability, including McDonald’s ω, Cronbach’s alpha, Gutmann’s λ2, and Gutmann’s λ6, were conducted. Data analysis was performed using SurveyMonkey, SPSS, Jeffery’s Amazing Statistics Program (JASP), and Microsoft Excel version 16. Results: A total of 439 pharmacists responded to the questionnaire. Over one-third of responses came from the Central region (122 (31.69%)), one-quarter from the Eastern region (91 (23.64%)), and one-fifth from the Southern region (79 (20.52%)). Males responded more than females (203 (53.14%) vs. 179 (46.86%)), with statistically non-significant differences between all levels (p=0.219). Most respondents were in the age groups of 36-45 years (152 (39.48%)) and 46-55 years (134 (34.81%)), with statistically significant differences between all age groups (p=0.000). The majority of pharmacists had training courses in Basic Life Support (BLS) (293 (77.11%)), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) (289 (76.05%)), Pediatric Cardiac Life Support (PCLS) (287 (75.53%)), and Neonatal Cardiac Life Support (NCLS) (203 (53.42%)), with statistically significant differences between all levels (p=0.000). The average score of basic knowledge of pharmacists about Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) medications was 1.67. The element “know how to prepare and dispense ACLS medications list” obtained the highest score (2.04). The aspect “there is an official standardized NCLS medications list” scored 1.94, and the element “there is an official standardized PCLS medications list” scored 1.93. The average score of advanced knowledge of pharmacists about Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) medications was 1.86. The element “know the compatibility of ACLS medications” obtained the highest score (2.31). The aspect “know the drug interactions with NCLS medications” scored 2.27, and the element “know the drug interactions with PCLS medications” scored 2.17. The most used resources for CPR medications were medical association literature/guidelines/recommendations (307 (76.56%)), peer discussions (298 (74.31%)), and scientific literature (293 (73.07%)). Conclusion: Pharmacists’ knowledge of CPR medications was found to be insufficient in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, undergraduate education and training in CPR medications are highly recommended. Additionally, involvement in training for postgraduate studies is required to improve pharmacy staff knowledge of CPR services and patient outcomes in Saudi Arabia.

Keywords: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Knowledge, Medications, Pharmacists