A scoring system for the assessment of basic life support ability.
BACKGROUND
There are no current validated scoring systems for the assessment of adult single rescuer basic life support (BLS) ability. A system was proposed and prospectively validated.


METHODS
The system was tested firstly on 12 skilled BLS providers (all instructors). It was then further evaluated on 75 undergraduate dental students, who were assessed before and after a standard training session on adult BLS.


RESULTS
All 12 skilled persons passed the test according to the system. The system successfully showed a positive training effect in the dental students. It correctly identified those who 'passed' after training, i.e. those were capable of providing effective BLS (71/75, 94.7%). It also correctly identified those who were not considered competent (4/71, 5.3%).


CONCLUSIONS
This is a simple, effective, objective system for assessment of basic life support. It is easily adaptable for the 1998 Guidelines on BLS.
Graham
C A
CA
Department of Accident and Emergency Medicine, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, UK.
Lewis
N F
NF
D000328:Adult; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000193:education*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006801:Humans; D013335:Students, Dental