Resuscitation skills of lay public after recent training

• Published in: Annals of emergency medicine Vol. 23; no. 5; pp. 1003 - 1008
• Main Authors: Berden, Hubert J.J.M., Bierens, Joost J.L.M., Willems, Frank F., Hendrick, Jo M.A., Pijls, Nico H.J., Knape, Johannes T.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.05.1994; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation - education; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation - methods; Clinical Competence - standards; Cross-Sectional Studies; Educational Measurement; Emergency and intensive care: techniques, logistics; Female; Health Education - standards; Humans; Intensive care medicine; Intensive care unit. Emergency transport systems. Emergency, hospital ward; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Program Evaluation; United States; North America; America; Performance evaluation; Human; First emergency care; Formation; Public health; Resuscitation
• ISSN: 0196-0644; 1097-6760
• DOI: 10.1016/S0196-0644(94)70094-X

Study objective: To investigate the ability of laypeople to apply basic CPR techniques after recent training. Design: Cross-sectional assessment of practical CPR skills. Type of participants: 151 laypeople who were trained twice in the preceding 20 to 24 months. Measurements and main results: Practical skills were tested using six primary recorded variables that describe the quality of CPR techniques in a training situation. A total score on the skills of each participant was computed on the basis of a predefined scoring system. Thirty-three percent of the participants were able to perform adequate CPR. The compression: relaxation ratio, the breathing volume, and the breathing interval were points of concern. Conclusion: Practical skills in basic CPR after a 12-month training interval, though better in this study than in many previous studies, are insufficient in the majority of laypeople. The results of this study could be used to design a better tailored (re)instruction program, with an emphasis on regular, frequent refresher courses.