Evaluation of a novel device that maintains the balance of a cardiopulmonary resuscitation performer in a moving ambulance to improve chest compression quality

Feng SY, Song YQ, Zhang YL, Li Y
Correspondence: Dr Shun Yi Feng, shunyi1058@hotmail.com

ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION According to the findings of some studies, instability due to inertia during changes in speed may negatively impact the quality of chest compressions performed during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in a moving environment. This study thus aimed to introduce a simple device that maintains the balance of a person performing CPR in a moving environment, such as an ambulance. We also sought to evaluate the effectiveness of this device in the improvement of the quality of chest compressions.
METHODS The experiment comprised a total of 40 simulated cardiopulmonary arrest scenes (20 in the experimental group and 20 in the control), in which CPR was conducted by eight paramedics. Each simulation involved two paramedics randomly selected from the eight. The ambulance took the same route from the simulated site to the hospital, and continuous CPR was performed on a manikin in the ambulance with or without the aid of our proposed novel device.
RESULTS The average number of chest compressions per simulation in the experimental and control groups was 1330.75 and 1266.60, respectively (p = 0.095). The percentage of chest compressions with adequate depth achieved in the experimental and control groups was 72% ± 4% and 50% ± 3%, respectively (p < 0.0001).
CONCLUSION By maintaining the balance of the CPR performer, our proposed novel device can offset the negative impact that instability (due to a moving environment) has on chest compressions. The device may also lead to an increase in the percentage of chest compressions that achieve adequate depth.

Keywords: ambulance, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, chest compression, instability, quality
Singapore Med J 2013; 54(11): 645-648; http://dx.doi.org/10.11622/smedj.2013226

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