Saving Lives behind the Scenes: Knowledge and Skills on Adult Basic Life Support among Radiologic Technologists Employed in Public and Private Hospitals in NCR, Philippines

Adult Basic Life Support (BLS), as taught by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the Red Cross, equips individuals with the necessary skills to respond effectively in emergencies and provide immediate care until professional medical assistance arrives. This study conducted a quantitative analysis among radiologic technologists in the National Capital Region (NCR) to assess their knowledge and proficiency in BLS. As healthcare providers, radiologic technologists play a crucial role in detecting cardiac arrest and other life-threatening conditions early, making their competency in life-saving interventions, such as Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), essential. Their involvement is not limited to hospitals but also extends to clinics and other medical settings where they may be the first responders. To evaluate the knowledge and skills of radiologic technologists in BLS, researchers utilized a questionnaire checklist distributed among selected hospitals, employing voluntary response sampling for participant selection. The study followed the AHA guidelines as the foundational framework, as its algorithm is widely adopted in the Philippines and supported by extensive research affirming its effectiveness in life-saving interventions. By aligning with globally recognized standards, this investigation aims to contribute to an evidence-based approach in healthcare practice while strengthening emergency preparedness. The findings revealed that younger radiologic technologists generally demonstrated higher BLS knowledge and skills, while older professionals showed slightly lower. A weak correlation was observed between gender and BLS proficiency, with female respondents slightly outperforming males. Public hospital technologists exhibited marginally higher awareness and competency compared to their private hospital counterparts, likely due to greater exposure to emergencies and structured training programs. These insights underscore the importance of continuous education and hands-on training to improve emergency response capabilities across different healthcare demographics.