Quality of resuscitation by first responders using the 'public access resuscitator': a randomized manikin study.
OBJECTIVE
The CAREvent Public Access Resuscitator (PAR) is an electronic, oxygen-driven cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) device allowing volume-controlled ventilation with a face mask and guiding the rescuer through the resuscitation with voice prompts and visual indications. We hypothesized that 1 year after initial training, the efficacy of ventilation skills (primary outcome) and compression skills (secondary outcome) by first responders using the PAR would be superior compared with CPR with only a face mask.


METHODS
Seventy-one first responders were randomized to a group using the PAR (n=35) and a control group using only a face mask (n=36). CPR skills were assessed immediately after training and after 3, 7 and 12 months using a Skill Reporter manikin. Differences between groups over time and the interaction between time and groups were assessed using repeated measures models. Results are reported as mean values and number of participants with good ventilation or compression skills.


RESULTS
Twelve months after training, there were more PAR users with adequate tidal volume than face mask users. Other ventilations skills did not differ between groups. There were more PAR users with an adequate number of compressions and with good hand position. Skill decay over 12 months did not differ between groups, except for hand position, where no decline was observed in the PAR group.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared with the face mask, PAR improved tidal volume, compressions per minute and hand position in a manikin setting.
aDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent bVrije Universiteit Brussel, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Brussels cAntwerp University Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, Edegem dUniversity of Antwerp, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wilrijk eDepartment of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care, Ghent University, Ghent fGhent University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent, Belgium.
Dries G
DG
Taelman
Sofie A M
SA
Huybrechts
Wim
W
Peersman
Paul A
PA
Calle
Koenraad G
KG
Monsieurs
D000328:Adult; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards; D002983:Clinical Competence; D060731:Emergency Responders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008348:Manikins; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000295:instrumentation; D013990:Tidal Volume