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Background: The immediate response to cardiac arrest is regarded as the most time-critical intervention. First responders for cardiac arrests in imaging departments are often radiology staff. The study aim was to determine radiology staff members’ confidence in initiating basic life support. Objectives: The objectives of this study included determining the general confidence levels regarding identifying cardiac arrest and initiation of basic life support (BLS) amongst Radiology staff within the studied sites, as well as to identify potential areas of uncertainty. Another objective included identifying what would contribute to increasing levels of confidence and competence in identifying cardiac arrest and initiating BLS. Method: A multi-centre cross-sectional survey was conducted using peer-validated, anonymous questionnaires. Questionnaires were distributed to radiology staff working in public sector hospitals within the Cape Town Metropole West. Due to the limited subject pool, a convenience sample was collected. Data were therefore statistically analysed using only summary statistics (mean, standard deviation, proportions, and so on), and detailed comparisons were not made. Results: We disseminated 200 questionnaires, and 74 were completed (37%). There were no incomplete questionnaires or exclusions from the final sample. Using a 10-point Likert scale, the mean ability to recognise cardiac arrest was 6.45 (SD ± 2.7), securing an airway 4.86 (SD ± 2.9), and providing rescue breaths and initiating cardiac compressions 6.14 (SD ± 2.9). Only two (2.7%) of the participants had completed a basic life support course in the past year; 11 (14.8%) had never completed any basic life support course and 28 (37.8%) had never completed any life support or critical care course. Radiologists, radiology trainees and nurses had the greatest confidence in providing rescue breaths and initiating cardiac compressions from all the groups. Conclusion: The study demonstrated a substantial lack of confidence in providing basic life support in the participating hospital imaging departments’ staff. The participants indicated that regular training and improved support systems would increase confidence levels and improve skills.

Cardiac arrest is a life-threatening emergency situation. The outcome depends on timely and effective cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Successful CPR attempts in hospitals require well-equipped emergency trolleys and properly functioning equipment, as well as staffmembers skilled in performing CPR. The study aimed to determine whether the emergency trolleys in Botswana’s hospitals’ wards or units met the expected standards. The contents of the emergency trolleys in 20 wards or units of two referral government hospitals in Botswanawere audited by using a standardised checklist. No hospital ward or unit had all the expected equipment or drugs on its emergency trolley, some units failed to check their emergency trolleys’ contents daily. All 20 hospital wards or units that participated in this study, needed to improve the contents and maintenance of their emergency trolleys, otherwise in-hospital CPR efforts in Botswana might be doomed to failure, losing lives that could have been saved if emergency trolleys’ equipment and supplies had been up to standard.

Cardiac arrest is a life-threatening emergency situation. The outcome depends on timely and effective cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Successful CPR attempts in hospitals require well-equipped emergency trolleys and properly functioning equipment, as well as staff members skilled in performing CPR. The study aimed to determine whether the emergency trolleys in Botswana’s hospitals’ wards or units met the expected standards. The contents of the emergency trolleys in 20 wards or units of two referral government hospitals in Botswana were audited by using a standardised checklist. No hospital ward or unit had all the expected equipment or drugs on its emergency trolley, some units failed to check their emergency trolleys’ contents daily. All 20 hospital wards or units that participated in this study, needed to improve the contents and maintenance of their emergency trolleys, otherwise in-hospital CPR efforts in Botswana might be doomed to failure, losing lives that could have been saved if emergency trolleys’ equipment and supplies had been up to standard. Opsomming Hartarres is ‘n lewensbedreigende noodsituasie. Die uitkoms word bepaal deur tydige en effektiewe kardio-pulmonale resussitasie (KPR). Suksesvolle KPR pogings in hospitale vereis goed toegeruste noodtrollies en toerusting wat behoorlik funksioneer, asook personeellede wat bedrewe is in die uitvoering van KPR. Die studie het gepoog om te bepaal of die noodtrollies in Botswana se hospitaalsale of eenhede aan die verwagte standaarde voldoen. Die inhoud van die noodtrollies in 20 sale of enhede van twee van Botswana se hospitale is ge-ouditeer deur ‘n gestandardiseerde kontrolelys te benut. Geen hospitaalsaal of eenheid het al die verwagte toerusting of drogerye op sy noodtrollie gehad nie, sommige eenhede het nie hulle noodtrollies se inhoud gereeld gekontroleer nie. Al 20 hospitaalsale of eenhede wat aan die studie deelgeneem het, moet die inhoud en instandhouding van hulle noodtrollies verbeter, anders kan in-hospitaal KPR pogings in Botswana tot mislukkings gedoem wees, waardeur lewens verloor word wat gered kon gewees het, indien die noodtrollies se inhoud op standaard was.