Availability and Utilization of Automated External Defibrillators in New York State Schools

An Integrative Review of Response Rates in Nursing Research Utilizing Online Surveys

BACKGROUND

Online surveys in nursing research have both advantages and disadvantages. Reaching a sample and attaining an appropriate response rate is an ongoing challenge and necessitates careful consideration when designing a nursing research study using an online survey approach.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we aimed to explore response rates and survey characteristics of studies by nurse researchers that used online methodologies to survey nurses, nursing students, and nursing faculty.

METHODS

We conducted an integrative review of research studies that used online surveys for data collection published from 2011 to 2021. We examined response rates and survey characteristics such as recruitment method, use of incentives, question type, length of survey, time to complete the survey, and use of reminders.

RESULTS

Our review included 51 studies published by nurses with target samples of nurses, nursing students, or nursing faculty. Study sample sizes ranged from 48 to 29,283, the number of respondents ranged from 29 to 3,607, and the response rates ranged from 3.4% to 98%, with an average of 42.46%. Few patterns emerged regarding recruitment or other factors to enhance response rates; only five studies used incentives.

CONCLUSION

Response rates to online surveys are unlikely to reach the rates seen in older mailed surveys. Researchers need to design online survey studies to be easily accessible, concise, and appealing to participants.

Reducing Barriers to Optimal Automated External Defibrillator Use: An Elementary School Intervention Study

Background

Timely use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) improves outcomes in sudden cardiopulmonary arrest (SCA). Our project aims were to: 1) identify the barriers to optimal AED use in the Québec City area elementary schools; 2) create targeted educational material regarding AEDs; and 3) measure the impact of the teaching module.

Methods

Using a quality improvement in health-care framework, a survey exploring the barriers to AED use was sent to 139 elementary schools. We then developed a video teaching module on using AEDs to address these barriers. A convenience sample of 92 elementary school professionals participated in a mock scenario. Metrics related to AED use were assessed at baseline and after completing the post-teaching module. The primary outcome was the time to first shock and secondary outcomes consisted of evaluating the completion of each step required for safe and effective AED use.

Results

The barrier analysis survey received a response rate of 52.5%. Most schools reported having an AED (95%), but 48.6% indicated that no formal training was offered. After the teaching module, the appropriate use of the AED in an SCA simulation improved from 53% to 92% (P < 0.001). The average time elapsed before first shock was 66 (95% confidence interval [CI], 63-70) seconds at baseline compared with 47 (95% CI, 45-49) seconds post-teaching module (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Lack of training, the main barrier to optimal use of AEDs in elementary schools, can be addressed through a brief video teaching module, thus improving the ability to deliver timely and effective defibrillation.