Abstract P76: Assessment of Resuscitation Skills in Foundation Year 1 Hospital Doctors in Northern Ireland

Abstract

Aims: To assess Foundation Year 1 (F1) doctors’ ability to perform effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) using different chest compression:ventilation ratios. Methods: All forty F1 doctors working in a major teaching hospital were asked to participate in the study. Thirty four doctors participated, eighteen male and sixteen female. BMI was recorded in each case. They were asked to perform two, three minute sessions of CPR on a skills reporter manikin separated by a five minute rest period. Half of the doctors started using a ratio of 15:2 and half used 30:2. After a five minute rest the alternate ratio was performed. Their performance was assessed both objectively, by measuring the rate and depth of chest compressions, and subjectively by a panel of five advanced life support (ALS) instructors who reviewed tracings of each CPR session. Results: Mean compression rate per minute was sixty five while performing 15:2 and ninety one at 30:2. Chest compressions were effective if >38mm. Twenty three doctors (67.7%) achieved >80% effective chest compressions at a ratio of 15:2, compared with nineteen doctors (55.9%) at 30:2. At 15:2, males were 89% effective compared to 44% of females. At 30:2 males were 83 % effective compared to 25% of females. At 15:2 82% of compressions were effective in BMI>24 group compared with 50% of BMI<24. At 30:2 BMI>24 achieved 76% effective compared with 35% in BMI<24 group. Outcome measures shown in table 1 show no statistical difference between 15:2 and 30:2. Subjectively, 41% of doctors were deemed effective at 15:2 compared with 35% at 30:2. Conclusions: A significant number of F1 doctors are unable to perform effective CPR. Objectively, F1 doctors performed better at 15:2 than 30:2 but no statistical significance was noted. Subjectively, ALS instructors favoured the 15:2 regieme. CPR was performed better by males and doctors with BMI>24. F1 doctors’ should be carefully assessed before they act as first responders at in-hospital cardiac arrests. Mean difference between 15:2 and 30:2