Knowledge of Pharmacists about Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Medications in Saudi Arabia

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 pharmacist’s 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. Besides, various tests of the reliability of McDonald’s ω, Cronbach alpha, Gutmann’s λ2, and Gutmann’s λ6 were carried out with the study. The data analysis of the Pharmacist practice of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) medications is done through the survey monkey system. Besides, the statistical package of social sciences (SPSS), Jeffery’s Amazing Statistics Program (JASP), and Microsoft Excel sheet version 16 were implemented. Results: A total number of 439 pharmacists responded to the questionnaire. Of them, more than onethird responded from the Central region (122 (31.69%)), one Quarter responded from the Eastern region (91 (23.64%)), and one-fifth responded from the southern part (79 (20.52%)). Males responded more than females (203 (53.14%)) versus 179 (46.86%)), with statistically non-significant differences between all levels (p=0.219). Most of the responders were in the age group 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%)), Advance 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” (1.94), and The element “there is an official standardized PCLS medications list” (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” (2.27), and The element “know the drug - interactions with PCLS medications” (2.17). The resources used most about the CPR medications were Medical association literature/guidelines/recommendations 307 (76.56%), Peer discussions 298 (74.31%), and Scientific literature 293 (73.07%). Conclusion: The pharmacists’ knowledge of CPR medication was inappropriate. Therefore, undergraduate education and training of CPR medication is high recommended. Besides, involvement training for postgraduate studies is required to improve pharmacy staff knowledge of CPR services and patient outcomes in Saudi Arabia.