Real-time feedback during basic life support training: Does it prevent skill decay?

Abstract

The aim of basic life support (BLS) training is to give providers the skills and knowledge to deliver high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Following training, BLS and advanced life support skills often decay quickly. 1 Smith K.K. Gilcreast D. Pierce K. Evaluation of staff's retention of ACLS and BLS skills. Resuscitation. 2008; 78: 59-65 Google Scholar , 2 Yang C.-W. Yen Z.-S. McGowan J.E. et al. A systematic review of retention of adult advanced life support knowledge and skills in healthcare providers. Resuscitation. 2012; 83: 1055-1060 Google Scholar , 3 Spooner B.B. Fallaha J.F. Kocierz L. Smith C.M. Smith S.C.L. Perkins G.D. An evaluation of objective feedback in basic life support (BLS) training. Resuscitation. 2007; 73: 417-424 Google Scholar As CPR quality is associated with patient outcome following cardiac arrest, 4 Stiell I.G. Brown S.P. Christenson J. et al. What is the role of chest compression depth during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest resuscitation?. Crit Care Med. 2012; 40: 1192-1198 Google Scholar , 5 Idris A.H. Guffey D. Aufderheide T.P. et al. Relationship between chest compression rates and outcomes from cardiac arrest. Circulation. 2012; 125: 3004-3012 Google Scholar , 6 Fried D.A. Leary M. Smith D.A. et al. The prevalence of chest compression leaning during in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Resuscitation. 2011; 82: 1019-1024 Google Scholar , 7 Monsieurs K.G. De Regge M. Vansteelandt K. et al. Excessive chest compression rate is associated with insufficient compression depth in prehospital cardiac arrest. Resuscitation. 2012; 83: 1319-1323 Google Scholar , 8 Niles D.E. Nishisaki A. Sutton R.M. et al. Comparison of relative and actual chest compression depths during cardiac arrest in children, adolescents, and young adults. Resuscitation. 2012; 83: 320-326 Google Scholar , 9 Wallace S.K. Abella B.S. Becker L.B. Quantifying the effect of cardiopulmonary resuscitation quality on cardiac arrest outcome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes. 2013; 6: 148-156 Google Scholar there is a need to develop strategies to optimise CPR skill acquisition and retention. 10 Seethala R.R. Esposito E.C. Abella B.S. Approaches to improving cardiac arrest resuscitation performance. Curr Opin Crit Care. 2010; 16: 196-202 Google Scholar