Abstract
CONTEXTIt is estimated that there are approximately 1,000 sudden cardiac events occurring daily outside of the hospital setting in the US.OBJECTIVESThe objectives of this pilot project were to determine lay participants’ ability to remember the steps of hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (HOCPR) following a 30-minute instructional session regarding proper technique and their willingness to perform bystander CPR (BCPR) on victims of sudden cardiac arrest outside in the community.SAMPLE AND SETTINGA nine-item survey questionnaire that was created by the authors was first administered to a sample of 75 adults who had volunteered at their institutions’ emergency department. Inclusion criteria included all adults over the age of eighteen years.OUTCOME MEASURESTo gauge whether basic HOCPR training improved bystander preparedness and willingness to provide assistance to a victim of sudden cardiac event.METHODSAfter IRB approval, participants were shown a one-minute video by the American Heart Association (AHA) and provided a 30-minute demonstration of key HOCPR skills on a mannequin. A post-instruction nine-item survey was sent by mail/email or administered by phone at one month after training to assess participants’ retention of HOCPR knowledge and attitude.RESULTSThe initial survey responses showed 75 (100%) were able to recall the basic steps of HOCPR, with 59 (79%) “very likely” to help provide BCPR. Not needing to provide breaths made 57 (76%) of lay participants more willing to assist a person in need. A subgroup of 31 (41%) of the initial 75 participants were lost to follow-up. Out of the 44 (59%) who completed the one-month survey, 44 (100%) of participants remembered the primary HOCPR steps and technique. A subgroup of 32 (73%) one-month respondents indicated that they were more likely to assist victims if rescue breathing was not required, and 11 (25%) had reportedly tried to teach family and friends about HOCPR.CONCLUSIONSThese results indicate that of those involved in the survey, the majority could recall the correct steps and be willing to provide HOCPR. These results could help in shaping community outreach and training programs designed to improve the rate and quality of response to victims of sudden cardiac arrest.
Highlights
Of the over 300,000 annual sudden cardiac arrest events occurring outside of US hospitals, only approximately one in four victims receive bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (BCPR).[1]
The studies to date have demonstrated that the use of hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (HOCPR) after a cardiac event can double or triple a victim’s chances of survival when compared to when no cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has been performed.[2]
Fears of disease transmission was a much less significant concern of sample bystanders.[4]. This indicated to the authors that correction of misinformation regarding CPR and provision of simplified BCPR instructions could be incorporated when teaching BCPR to willing community members
Summary
Of the over 300,000 annual sudden cardiac arrest events occurring outside of US hospitals, only approximately one in four victims receive bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (BCPR).[1] The studies to date have demonstrated that the use of hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (HOCPR) after a cardiac event can double or triple a victim’s chances of survival when compared to when no cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has been performed.[2] An observational 2007 study published compared patient outcomes after out of hospital cardiac arrest with bystander use of traditional CPR, HOCPR and no CPR at all. A previous perceived barrier to administering BCPR has been fear of disease transmission secondary to the mouthto-mouth ventilation. This indicated to the authors that correction of misinformation regarding CPR and provision of simplified BCPR instructions could be incorporated when teaching BCPR to willing community members
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
