Modified paediatric resuscitation chart.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether a modified paediatric resuscitation reference chart improves the speed and accuracy of calculation of doses of drugs in simulated paediatric cardiopulmonary arrests when compared with the chart devised by Oakley.


METHODS
A prospective study in which a series of randomly assigned questions was used to compare the performance of doctors using the two charts.


METHODS
Accident and emergency departments in two hospitals.


METHODS
31 senior house officers.


METHODS
The speed and accuracy of calculation of volumes of drugs to be administered.


RESULTS
The modified chart significantly increased the accuracy of the calculations (62/62 v 43/62, p < 0.01 [corrected]), the speed of correct calculations (6.8 v 36.0 s, p < 0.0001), and the number of calculations that were completed (62/62 v 50/62, p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The modified paediatric resuscitation chart should supersede the existing chart.
Burke
D P
DP
Accident and Emergency Department, Royal Hospital, Wolverhampton.
Bowden
D F
DF
D000293:Adolescent; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D004282:Documentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008485:Medical Audit; D011446:Prospective Studies