Low-dose, high-frequency CPR training improves skill retention of in-hospital pediatric providers

2010 American Heart Association recommended compression depths during pediatric in-hospital resuscitations are associated with survival

AIM

Gaps exist in pediatric resuscitation knowledge due to limited data collected during cardiac arrest in real children. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the 2010 American Heart Association (AHA) recommended chest compression (CC) depth (≥51 mm) and survival following pediatric resuscitation attempts.

METHODS

Single-center prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed observational study of children (>1 year) who received CCs between October 2006 and September 2013 in the intensive care unit (ICU) or emergency department (ED) at a tertiary care children's hospital. Multivariate logistic regression models controlling for calendar year and known potential confounders were used to estimate the association between 2010 AHA depth compliance and survival outcomes. The primary outcome was 24-h survival. The primary predictor variable was event AHA depth compliance, prospectively defined as an event with ≥60% of 30-s epochs achieving an average CC depth ≥51 mm during the first 5 min of the resuscitation.

RESULTS

There were 89 CC events, 87 with quantitative CPR data collected (23 AHA depth compliant). AHA depth compliant events were associated with improved 24-h survival on both univariate analysis (70% vs. 16%, p<0.001) and after controlling for potential confounders (calendar year of arrest, gender, first documented rhythm; aOR 10.3; CI(95): 2.75-38.8; p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

2010 AHA compliant chest compression depths (≥51 mm) are associated with higher 24-h survival compared to shallower chest compression depths, even after accounting for potentially confounding patient and event factors.

Technology-enhanced simulation and pediatric education: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Pediatrics has embraced technology-enhanced simulation (TES) as an educational modality, but its effectiveness for pediatric education remains unclear. The objective of this study was to describe the characteristics and evaluate the effectiveness of TES for pediatric education.

METHODS

This review adhered to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) standards. A systematic search of Medline, Embase, CINAHL, ERIC, Web of Science, Scopus, key journals, and previous review bibliographies through May 2011 and an updated Medline search through October 2013 were conducted. Original research articles in any language evaluating the use of TES for educating health care providers at any stage, where the content solely focuses on patients 18 years or younger, were selected. Reviewers working in duplicate abstracted information on learners, clinical topic, instructional design, study quality, and outcomes. We coded skills (simulated setting) separately for time and nontime measures and similarly classified patient care behaviors and patient effects.

RESULTS

We identified 57 studies (3666 learners) using TES to teach pediatrics. Effect sizes (ESs) were pooled by using a random-effects model. Among studies comparing TES with no intervention, pooled ESs were large for outcomes of knowledge, nontime skills (eg, performance in simulated setting), behaviors with patients, and time to task completion (ES = 0.80-1.91). Studies comparing the use of high versus low physical realism simulators showed small to moderate effects favoring high physical realism (ES = 0.31-0.70).

CONCLUSIONS

TES for pediatric education is associated with large ESs in comparison with no intervention. Future research should include comparative studies that identify optimal instructional methods and incorporate pediatric-specific issues into educational interventions.

Hemodynamic-directed cardiopulmonary resuscitation during in-hospital cardiac arrest

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guidelines assume that cardiac arrest victims can be treated with a uniform chest compression (CC) depth and a standardized interval administration of vasopressor drugs. This non-personalized approach does not incorporate a patient's individualized response into ongoing resuscitative efforts. In previously reported porcine models of hypoxic and normoxic ventricular fibrillation (VF), a hemodynamic-directed resuscitation improved short-term survival compared to current practice guidelines. Skilled in-hospital rescuers should be trained to tailor resuscitation efforts to the individual patient's physiology. Such a strategy would be a major paradigm shift in the treatment of in-hospital cardiac arrest victims.

First quantitative analysis of cardiopulmonary resuscitation quality during in-hospital cardiac arrests of young children

AIM

The objective of this study is to report, for the first time, quantitative data on CPR quality during the resuscitation of children under 8 years of age. We hypothesized that the CPR performed would often not achieve 2010 Pediatric Basic Life Support (BLS) Guidelines, but would improve with the addition of audiovisual feedback.

METHODS

Prospective observational cohort evaluating CPR quality during chest compression (CC) events in children between 1 and 8 years of age. CPR recording defibrillators collected CPR data (rate (CC/min), depth (mm), CC fraction (CCF), leaning (%>2.5 kg.)). Audiovisual feedback was according to 2010 Guidelines in a subset of patients. The primary outcome, "excellent CPR" was defined as a CC rate ≥ 100 and ≤ 120 CC/min, depth ≥ 50 mm, CCF >0.80, and <20% of CC with leaning.

RESULTS

8 CC events resulted in 285 thirty-second epochs of CPR (15,960 CCs). Percentage of epochs achieving targets was 54% (153/285) for rate, 19% (54/285) for depth, 88% (250/285) for CCF, 79% (226/285) for leaning, and 8% (24/285) for excellent CPR. The median percentage of epochs per event achieving targets increased with audiovisual feedback for rate [88 (IQR: 79, 94) vs. 39 (IQR 18, 62) %; p=0.043] and excellent CPR [28 (IQR: 7.2, 52) vs. 0 (IQR: 0, 1) %; p=0.018].

CONCLUSIONS

In-hospital pediatric CPR often does not meet 2010 Pediatric BLS Guidelines, but compliance is better when audiovisual feedback is provided to rescuers.

Pushing harder, pushing faster, minimizing interruptions… but falling short of 2010 cardiopulmonary resuscitation targets during in-hospital pediatric and adolescent resuscitation

AIM

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of instituting the 2010 Basic Life Support Guidelines on in-hospital pediatric and adolescent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) quality. We hypothesized that quality would improve, but that targets for chest compression (CC) depth would be difficult to achieve.

METHODS

Prospective in-hospital observational study comparing CPR quality 24 months before and after release of the 2010 Guidelines. CPR recording/feedback-enabled defibrillators collected CPR data (rate (CC/min), depth (mm), CC fraction (CCF, %), leaning (%>2.5kg)). Audiovisual feedback for depth was: 2005, ≥38mm; 2010, ≥50mm; for rate: 2005, ≥90 and ≤120CC/min; 2010, ≥100 and ≤120CC/min. The primary outcome was average event depth compared with Student's t-test.

RESULTS

45 CPR events (25 before; 20 after) occurred, resulting in 1336 thirty-second epochs (909 before; 427 after). Compared to 2005, average event depth (50±13mm vs. 43±9mm; p=0.047), rate (113±11CC/min vs. 104±8CC/min; p<0.01), and CCF (0.94 [0.93, 0.96] vs. 0.9 [0.85, 0.94]; p=0.013) increased during 2010. CPR epochs during the 2010 period more likely to meet Guidelines for CCF (OR 1.7; CI95: 1.2-2.4; p<0.01), but less likely for rate (OR 0.23; CI95: 0.12-0.44; p<0.01), and depth (OR 0.31; CI95: 0.12-0.86; p=0.024).

CONCLUSIONS

Institution of the 2010 Guidelines was associated with increased CC depth, rate, and CC fraction; yet, achieving 2010 targets for rate and depth was difficult.

An institutionwide approach to redesigning management of cardiopulmonary resuscitation

BACKGROUND

Despite widespread training in basic life support (BLS) and advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS) among hospital personnel, the likelihood of survival from in-hospital cardiac arrests remains low. In 2006 a university-affiliated tertiary medical center initiated a cardiopulmonary (CPR) resuscitation redesign project. REDESIGNING THE HOSPITAL'S RESUSCITATION SYSTEM: The CPR Committee developed the interventions on the basis of a large-scale view of the process of delivering BLS and ACLS, identification of key decision nodes and actions, and compartmentalization of specific functions. It was proposed that arrest management follow a steady progression in a two-layer scheme from BLS to ACLS. Handouts describing team structure and specific roles were given to all code team providers and house staff at the start of their month-long rotations. To further increase role clarity and team organization, daily morning and evening meetings of the arrest team were instituted. Site-specific BLS training, on-site ACLS refresher training, and defibrillator training were initiated. Project elements also included use of unannounced mock codes to provide system oversight; preparation and distribution of cognitive aids (printed algorithms, dosing guides, and other checklists to ensure compliance with ACLS protocols), identification of patients who may be unstable or a source of concern, event review and analysis of arrests and other critical events, and a CPR website.

CONCLUSION

A mature hospital-based resuscitation system should include definition of arrest trends and resuscitation needs, development of local methods for approaching the arresting patient, an emphasis on prevention, establishment of training programs tailored to meet specific hospital needs, system examination and oversight, and administrative processes that maximize interaction between all components.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation quality: [corrected] improving cardiac resuscitation outcomes both inside and outside the hospital: a consensus statement from the American Heart Association

The "2010 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care" increased the focus on methods to ensure that high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is performed in all resuscitation attempts. There are 5 critical components of high-quality CPR: minimize interruptions in chest compressions, provide compressions of adequate rate and depth, avoid leaning between compressions, and avoid excessive ventilation. Although it is clear that high-quality CPR is the primary component in influencing survival from cardiac arrest, there is considerable variation in monitoring, implementation, and quality improvement. As such, CPR quality varies widely between systems and locations. Victims often do not receive high-quality CPR because of provider ambiguity in prioritization of resuscitative efforts during an arrest. This ambiguity also impedes the development of optimal systems of care to increase survival from cardiac arrest. This consensus statement addresses the following key areas of CPR quality for the trained rescuer: metrics of CPR performance; monitoring, feedback, and integration of the patient's response to CPR; team-level logistics to ensure performance of high-quality CPR; and continuous quality improvement on provider, team, and systems levels. Clear definitions of metrics and methods to consistently deliver and improve the quality of CPR will narrow the gap between resuscitation science and the victims, both in and out of the hospital, and lay the foundation for further improvements in the future.

American Heart Association cardiopulmonary resuscitation quality targets are associated with improved arterial blood pressure during pediatric cardiac arrest

AIM

To evaluate the association between cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) quality and hemodynamic measurements during in-hospital pediatric cardiac arrest. We hypothesized that AHA recommended CPR rate and depth targets would be associated with systolic blood pressures≥80mmHg and diastolic blood pressures≥30mmHg.

METHODS

In children and adolescents <18 years of age who suffered a cardiac arrest with an invasive arterial catheter in place, a CPR monitoring defibrillator collected CPR data which was synchronized to arterial blood pressure (BP) tracings. Chest compression (CC) depths were corrected for mattress deflection. Generalized least squares regression estimated the association between BP and CPR quality, treated as continuous variables. Mixed-effects logistic regression estimated the association between systolic BP≥80mmHg/diastolic BP≥30mmHg and the AHA targets of depth≥38mm and/or rate≥100/min.

RESULTS

Nine arrests resulted in 4156 CCs. The median mattress corrected depth was 32mm (IQR 28-38); median rate was 111CC/min (IQR 103-120). AHA depth was achieved in 1090/4156 (26.2%) CCs; rate in 3441 (83.7%). Systolic BP≥80mmHg was attained in 2516/4156 (60.5%) compressions; diastolic≥30mmHg in 2561/4156 (61.6%). A rate≥100/min was associated with systolic BP≥80mmHg (OR 1.32; CI(95) 1.04, 1.66; p=0.02) and diastolic BP≥30mmHg (OR 2.15; CI(95) 1.65, 2.80; p<0.001). Exceeding both (rate≥100/min and depth≥38mm) was associated with systolic BP≥80mmHg (OR 2.02; CI(95) 1.45, 2.82; p<0.001) and diastolic BP≥30mmHg (OR 1.48; CI(95) 1.01, 2.15; p=0.042).

CONCLUSIONS

AHA quality targets (rate≥100/min and depth≥38mm) were associated with systolic BPs≥80mmHg and diastolic BPs≥30mmHg during CPR in children.

Assessing basic life support skills without an instructor: is it possible?

BACKGROUND

Current methods to assess Basic Life Support skills (BLS; chest compressions and ventilations) require the presence of an instructor. This is time-consuming and comports instructor bias. Since BLS skills testing is a routine activity, it is potentially suitable for automation. We developed a fully automated BLS testing station without instructor by using innovative software linked to a training manikin. The goal of our study was to investigate the feasibility of adequate testing (effectiveness) within the shortest period of time (efficiency).

METHODS

As part of a randomised controlled trial investigating different compression depth training strategies, 184 medicine students received an individual appointment for a retention test six months after training. An interactive FlashTM (Adobe Systems Inc., USA) user interface was developed, to guide the students through the testing procedure after login, while Skills StationTM software (Laerdal Medical, Norway) automatically recorded compressions and ventilations and their duration ("time on task"). In a subgroup of 29 students the room entrance and exit time was registered to assess efficiency. To obtain a qualitative insight of the effectiveness, student's perceptions about the instructional organisation and about the usability of the fully automated testing station were surveyed.

RESULTS

During testing there was incomplete data registration in two students and one student performed compressions only. The average time on task for the remaining 181 students was three minutes (SD 0.5). In the subgroup, the average overall time spent in the testing station was 7.5 minutes (SD 1.4). Mean scores were 5.3/6 (SD 0.5, range 4.0-6.0) for instructional organisation and 5.0/6 (SD 0.61, range 3.1-6.0) for usability. Students highly appreciated the automated testing procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

Our automated testing station was an effective and efficient method to assess BLS skills in medicine students. Instructional organisation and usability were judged to be very good. This method enables future formative assessment and certification procedures to be carried out without instructor involvement.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

B67020097543.

Ability of code leaders to recall CPR quality errors during the resuscitation of older children and adolescents

AIM

Performance of high quality CPR is associated with improved resuscitation outcomes. This study investigates code leader ability to recall CPR error during post-event interviews when CPR recording/audiovisual feedback-enabled defibrillators are deployed.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Physician code leaders were interviewed within 24h of 44 in-hospital pediatric cardiac arrests to assess their ability to recall if CPR error occurred during the event. Actual CPR quality was assessed using quantitative recording/feedback-enabled defibrillators. CPR error was defined as an overall average event chest compression (CC) rate <95/min, depth < 38 mm, ventilation rate >10/min, or any interruptions in CPR >10s. We hypothesized that code leaders would recall error when it actually occurred ≥ 75% of the time when assisted by audiovisual alerts from a CPR recording feedback-enabled defibrillators (analysis by χ(2)).

RESULTS

810 min from 44 cardiac arrest events yielded 40 complete data sets (actual and interview); ventilation data was available in 24. Actual CPR error was present in 3/40 events for rate, 4/40 for depth, 32/40 for interruptions >10s, and 17/24 for ventilation frequency. In post-event interviews, code leaders recalled these errors in 0/3 (0%) for rate, 0/4 (0%) for depth, and 19/32 (59%) for interruptions >10s. Code leaders recalled these CPR quality errors less than 75% of the time for rate (p=0.06), for depth (p<0.01), and for CPR interruption (p=0.04). Quantification of errors not recalled: missed rate error median=94 CC/min (IQR 93-95), missed depth error median=36 mm (IQR 35.5-36.5), missed CPR interruption >10s median=18s (IQR 14.4-28.9). Code leaders did recall the presence of excessive ventilation in 16/17 (94%) of events (p=0.07).

CONCLUSION

Despite assistance by CPR recording/feedback-enabled defibrillators, pediatric code leaders fail to recall important CPR quality errors for CC rate, depth, and interruptions during post-cardiac arrest interviews.

Training hospital providers in basic CPR skills in Botswana: acquisition, retention and impact of novel training techniques

OBJECTIVE

Globally, one third of deaths each year are from cardiovascular diseases, yet no strong evidence supports any specific method of CPR instruction in a resource-limited setting. We hypothesized that both existing and novel CPR training programs significantly impact skills of hospital-based healthcare providers (HCP) in Botswana.

METHODS

HCP were prospectively randomized to 3 training groups: instructor led, limited instructor with manikin feedback, or self-directed learning. Data was collected prior to training, immediately after and at 3 and 6 months. Excellent CPR was prospectively defined as having at least 4 of 5 characteristics: depth, rate, release, no flow fraction, and no excessive ventilation. GEE was performed to account for within subject correlation.

RESULTS

Of 214 HCP trained, 40% resuscitate ≥ 1/month, 28% had previous formal CPR training, and 65% required additional skills remediation to pass using AHA criteria. Excellent CPR skill acquisition was significant (infant: 32% vs. 71%, p<0.01; adult 28% vs. 48%, p<0.01). Infant CPR skill retention was significant at 3 (39% vs. 70%, p<0.01) and 6 months (38% vs. 67%, p<0.01), and adult CPR skills were retained to 3 months (34% vs. 51%, p=0.02). On multivariable analysis, low cognitive score and need for skill remediation, but not instruction method, impacted CPR skill performance.

CONCLUSIONS

HCP in resource-limited settings resuscitate frequently, with little CPR training. Using existing training, HCP acquire and retain skills, yet often require remediation. Novel techniques with increased student: instructor ratio and feedback manikins were not different compared to traditional instruction.

A comparative study of defibrillation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation performance during simulated cardiac arrest in nursing student teams

BACKGROUND

Although nurses must be able to respond quickly and effectively to cardiac arrest, numerous studies have demonstrated poor performance. Simulation is a promising learning tool for resuscitation team training but there are few studies that examine simulation for training defibrillation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (D-CPR) in teams from the nursing education perspective. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent to which nursing student teams follow the D-CPR-algorithm in a simulated cardiac arrest, and if observing a simulated cardiac arrest scenario and participating in the post simulation debriefing would improve team performance.

METHODS

We studied video-recorded simulations of D-CPR performance in 28 nursing student teams. Besides describing the overall performance of D-CPR, we compared D-CPR performance in two groups. Group A (n = 14) performed D-CPR in a simulated cardiac arrest scenario, while Group B (n = 14) performed D-CPR after first observing performance of Group A and participating in the debriefing. We developed a D-CPR checklist to assess team performance.

RESULTS

Overall there were large variations in how accurately the nursing student teams performed the specific parts of the D-CPR algorithm. While few teams performed opening the airways and examination of breathing correctly, all teams used a 30:2 compression: ventilation ratio.We found no difference between Group A and Group B in D-CPR performance, either in regard to total points on the check list or to time variables.

CONCLUSION

We found that none of the nursing student teams achieved top scores on the D-CPR-checklist. Observing the training of other teams did not increase subsequent performance. We think all this indicates that more time must be assigned for repetitive practice and reflection. Moreover, the most important aspects of D-CPR, such as early defibrillation and hands-off time in relation to shock, must be highlighted in team-training of nursing students.

An exploratory study of factors influencing resuscitation skills retention and performance among health providers

INTRODUCTION

Resuscitation and life support skills training comprises a significant proportion of continuing education programming for health professionals. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions and attitudes of certified resuscitation providers toward the retention of resuscitation skills, regular skills updating, and methods for enhancing retention.

METHODS

A mixed-methods, explanatory study design was undertaken utilizing focus groups and an online survey-questionnaire of rural and urban health care providers.

RESULTS

Rural providers reported less experience with real codes and lower abilities across a variety of resuscitation areas. Mock codes, practice with an instructor and a team, self-practice with a mannequin, and e-learning were popular methods for skills updating. Aspects of team performance that were felt to influence resuscitation performance included: discrepancies in skill levels, lack of communication, and team leaders not up to date on their skills. Confidence in resuscitation abilities was greatest after one had recently practiced or participated in an update or an effective debriefing session. Lowest confidence was reported when team members did not work well together, there was no clear leader of the resuscitation code, or if team members did not communicate.

DISCUSSION

The study findings highlight the importance of access to update methods for improving providers' confidence and abilities, and the need for emphasis on teamwork training in resuscitation. An eclectic approach combining methods may be the best strategy for addressing the needs of health professionals across various clinical departments and geographic locales.

"Putting it all together" to improve resuscitation quality

Solutions to improve care provided during cardiac arrest resuscitation attempts must be multifaceted and targeted to the diverse number of care providers to be successful. In this article, new approaches to improving cardiac arrest resuscitation performance are reviewed. The focus is on a continuous quality improvement paradigm highlighting improving training methods before actual cardiac arrest events, monitoring quality during resuscitation attempts, and using quantitative debriefing programs after events to educate frontline care providers.