Effects of bed height on the performance of chest compressions.
OBJECTIVE
The correct chest compression technique was emphasised to enhance the result of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the 2005 guidelines. The present study compared the effects of different bed heights, including a bed at knee height, on the performance of chest compressions.


METHODS
Twenty-four healthcare providers participated in this study. Knee height was defined as the baseline bed height. Bed heights were adjusted to 10 and 20 cm above the baseline and 10 and 20 cm below the baseline. At the five bed heights, chest compressions were performed for 2 minutes, and the compression rate was maintained at 100 per minute, with audible feedback.


RESULTS
The mean compression depths (MCD) were 28.3 mm (SD 10.7; knee height +20 cm), 32.3 mm (SD 9.2; knee height +10 cm), 32.7 mm (SD 8.5; knee height), 32.3 mm (SD 9.0; knee height -10 cm) and 31.1 mm (SD 8.5; knee height -20 cm). The MCD was significantly lower at knee height plus 20 cm (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The performance of chest compressions decreased when the bed height was 20 cm higher than the knee height of the rescuer.
Cho
J
J
Department of Emergency Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Oh
J H
JH
Park
Y S
YS
Park
I C
IC
Chung
S P
SP
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001513:Beds; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000379:methods*; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008348:Manikins; D011187:Posture; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013909:Thorax