Resuscitation. Nurses' skills in basic life support: a survey.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills are fundamental to the function of health professionals, but studies have shown them to be inadequate and outdated. This week, Nursing Standard launches a three-part weekly series on resuscitation. Parts two and three will address the associated ethical issues and measures of outcomes and accountability. The series begins with a survey in a district general hospital which aimed to establish nurses' levels of awareness on the current recommendations for CPR laid down by the Resuscitation Council of the UK. The results show a poor knowledge level and recommendations are offered.