[Insufficient implementation of guidelines for basic life support in Denmark].
BACKGROUND
Early bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) improves survival following out of hospital cardiac arrest. Bystanders perform basic life support in less than one third of witnessed cardiac arrests. Furthermore, the quality of CPR differs considerably. Unambiguous course material may improve education in resuscitation and further the provision and efficiency of CPR. In 2005 the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) published guidelines for adult basic life support. The objective of this investigation is to evaluate the adherence of Danish course material for laypeople to the ERC Guidelines.


METHODS
Printed Danish course material is compared to the ERC Guidelines with respect to algorithm, resuscitation techniques and illustrations.


RESULTS
The majority of the investigated material does not adhere to the ERC Guidelines, especially with regard to resuscitation techniques and illustrations. There were considerable discrepancies concerning airway management, recognition of cardiac arrest, activation of emergency medical services and chest compressions.


CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrate substantial differences between Danish course material and the ERC Guidelines. This may have implications for CPR provided by bystanders.
Steensen
Christian Overgaard
CO
Arhus Universitetshospital, Arhus Sygehus, Anaestesiologisk Afdeling, Arhus C. ketamin@dadlnet.dk
Krarup
Niels Henrik
NH
Løfgren
Bo
B