title: Effect of a backboard on compression depth during cardiac arrest in the ED: a simulation study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated the impact of a backboard on chest compression depth during cardiac arrest practice sessions conducted using a high-fidelity mannequin on a standard emergency department stretcher.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-three health care trainees completed cardiac resuscitation simulations requiring 2 minutes of uninterrupted chest compressions. Twenty-one were randomly allocated to the intervention group in which a backboard was concealed by placement between the stretcher mattress and a top sheet and, 22 were allocated to the control group in which no backboard was placed. The mannequin software automatically recorded mean chest compression depth in 10-second intervals for the 2 minutes of compressions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The backboard group achieved a mean compression depth of 41.2 mm (95% confidence interval, 37.8-44.6). The no-backboard group's mean compression depth was 41.4 mm (95% confidence interval, 38.7-44.2). Most subjects in both groups did not achieve the 50-mm compression depth threshold recommended by the American Heart Association.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of a backboard as an adjunct during cardiopulmonary resuscitation of a simulated patient lying on a standard emergency department stretcher did not improve the mean chest compression depth achieved by advanced life support rescuers. Most rescuers did not achieve the minimum compression depth of 50 mm recommended by the American Heart Association.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University, Dayton, OH.
authors.forename: Eric J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University, Dayton, OH.
authors.forename: Kelsey
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mayrand
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University, Dayton, OH.
authors.forename: Raymond P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Ten Eyck
mesh_terms: D019245:Compressive Strength; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D004867:Equipment Design; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000628:therapy*; D006336:Heart Massage / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008348:Manikins; D058638:Operating Tables