title: Hands-on defibrillation during active chest compressions: eliminating another interruption.
abstract: After decades of research, effective chest compressions have emerged as a key component of high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for cardiac arrest patients. Minimizing interruptions in chest compressions is garnering increasing attention as a method to improve CPR quality and outcomes. Hands-on defibrillation has been suggested as both a safe and effective means of reducing interruptions in chest compressions. This article discusses the safety and efficacy of a novel and controversial method to reduce interruptions: hands-on defibrillation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908. Electronic address: WB4Z@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Brady
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908. Electronic address: jb5bq@virginia.edu.
authors.forename: Joshua A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Berlat
mesh_terms: D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000592:standards*; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D004556:Electric Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D004634:Emergency Medical Technicians; D017575:Gloves, Protective; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006336:Heart Massage; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D060051:Occupational Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D012449:Safety