title: The impact of various backboard configurations on compression stiffness in a manikin study of CPR.
abstract: When performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) it is important that adequate back support is given to the patient in order to allow the medical practitioner to produce an appropriate technique during chest compression (CC). The current study investigates how backboard configuration (i.e., orientation and size) impact compression stiffness during CPR using a torso CPR training manikin. The effect of backboard size on CC performance during CPR was found to be significant with the 94.8% larger backboard producing an increase in compression stiffness of as much as 62.7% relative to the smaller backboard. The impact of backboard orientation was also found to be important with a longitudinal orientation producing an increase in compression stiffness of as much as 60.3% relative to a latitudinal orientation. Backboard configuration should be considered by clinicians when trying to achieve optimal CC performance during CPR in hospital settings.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Engineering Research Group, Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University, South Africa. cscheffer@ sun.ac.za
authors.forename: Garth
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cloete
authors.forename: Kiran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dellimore
authors.forename: Cornie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scheffer
mesh_terms: D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008348:Manikins