title: Does the use of a chest compression system in children improve the effectiveness of chest compressions? A randomised crossover simulation pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Providing high-quality chest compressions is a key element affecting the effectiveness of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of standard (manual) chest compressions (Standard BLS, standard basic life support) and those performed with the use of the Lifeline ARM chest compression system (ARM; Defibtech).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was designed as a randomised crossover study. In total, 37 nurses participated in the study. They performed a randomized 2-min asynchronous resuscitation using the Standard BLS method or the ARM system. The following parameters were measured: the total number of chest compressions, the frequency of compressions (min-1), compression depth (mm), and the percentage of correctly performed chest compressions and total chest decompressions. The authors also analysed the participants' preferences concerning the use of particular CPR techniques in the clinical setting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results obtained during the simulation study with the application of the ARM system were statistically significantly better than those with the Standard BLS method (p < 0.05) in the case of all analysed parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  During the simulated child resuscitation performed by the nurses, the application of the Lifeline ARM chest compression system significantly improved the effectiveness of chest compressions.
authors.affiliation: Zakład Medycyny Ratunkowej, Warszawski Uniwersystet Medyczny. lukasz.szarpak@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Łukasz
authors.initials: Ł
authors.lastname: Szarpak
authors.forename: Zenon
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Truszewski
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Smereka
authors.forename: Łukasz
authors.initials: Ł
authors.lastname: Czyżewski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002648:Child; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008348:Manikins; D009726:Nurses; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011897:Random Allocation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: child; effectiveness; resuscitation; simulation