title: A randomised control trial to determine if use of the iResus© application on a smart phone improves the performance of an advanced life support provider in a simulated medical emergency.
abstract: This study sought to determine whether using the Resuscitation Council UK's iResus© application on a smart phone improves the performance of doctors trained in advanced life support in a simulated emergency. Thirty-one doctors (advanced life support-trained within the previous 48 months) were recruited. All received identical training using the smart phone and the iResus application. The participants were randomly assigned to a control group (no smart phone) and a test group (access to iResus on smart phone). Both groups were tested using a validated extended cardiac arrest simulation test (CASTest) scoring system. The primary outcome measure was the overall cardiac arrest simulation test score; these were significantly higher in the smart phone group (median (IQR [range]) 84.5 (75.5-92.5 [64-96])) compared with the control group (72 (62-87 [52-95]); p=0.02). Use of the iResus application significantly improves the performance of an advanced life support-certified doctor during a simulated medical emergency. Further studies are needed to determine if iResus can improve care in the clinical setting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Royal United Hospital, Bath, UK. daniel.low1@me.com
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Low
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Soar
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Padkin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stoneham
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Perkins
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nolan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D022561:Advanced Cardiac Life Support / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards*; D000465:Algorithms; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D040421:Cell Phone; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004630:Emergencies; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012984:Software