[Effectiveness of resuscitation delivered by Polish paramedics].
BACKGROUND
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness and skills in BLS and use of automatic external defibrillators (AED) by paramedics from units of the National Fire and Rescue System.


METHODS
One hundred and fifty-eight rescuers participated in the study. They included both volunteers and professionals, and were recruited from 40 different rescue organizations. The results were evaluated by experienced physicians, nurses and paramedics, all holders of ALS and BLS-AED instructor diplomas. The following skills were evaluated: initial assessment, ventilation, chest compression, and use of the AED. The quality of the BLS-AED was rated against the professional experience of the rescuers, and the frequency of repetition training.


RESULTS
Although theoretical background was rated good, 45% of participants omitted assessment of consciousness. Airway patency and respiration were properly assessed by 82.5% and 72.5% of paramedics respectively, but only 20% could provide adequate rescue breaths to the phantom victims. Circulation was correctly assessed by 65% of participants, but once again, only 34.4% of paramedics could provide adequate chest compression. The results correlated positively with professional experience, based on the number of rescue missions (0-250, mean 4.3, median 1).


CONCLUSIONS
The results proved that despite adequate theoretical knowledge, practical skills of paramedics were poor, due to the inadequate time devoted to practical training and the lack of certificate courses.
Guła
Przemysław
P
Szpitalny Oddział Ratunkowy WSzS 5 w Sosnowcu.
Koszowska
Małgorzata
M
Larysz
Dawid
D
Koszowski
Marcin
M
Nabzdyk
Andrzej
A
Maślanka
Marek
M
D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002568:Certification; D002983:Clinical Competence; D047548:Defibrillators; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000295:instrumentation; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D004634:Emergency Medical Technicians; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D016544:Patient Simulation; D011044:Poland; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014838:Volunteers; D000078329:Workforce