SHARE @ Advocate Health - Midwest - Scientific Day: Impact of a Training Video on Mechanical CPR Device Application and CPR Pause Time Among First Responders
 

Affiliations

Advocate Christ Medical Center

Abstract

Background/Significance:

Mechanical chest compression systems, such as the Lund University Cardiopulmonary Assist System (LUCAS), provide consistent high-quality CPR through constant rate and depth. Despite this, there is no difference in clinical outcomes when comparing mechanical to manual CPR. Studies have found that placement of the LUCAS can result in a 32.5 second pause in compressions on average, and it has been shown that longer pauses in chest compressions correlate with decreased survival rates.

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether pauses in compressions could be shortened with standardized video training on LUCAS application.

Methods:

First responders from fire departments in the south suburbs of Chicago were recruited in teams of two to participate in a scenario requiring manual chest compressions and LUCAS device application. To control for the effect of practice each team performed three trials of the exercise and was randomly assigned to one of two groups: 1) a group who viewed a LUCAS training video between the first and second trial or 2) a group that viewed the video between the second and third trial. CPR pause times were recorded using a pressure sensor attached to a mannequin and manually by investigators using stopwatches. Times are reported as average in seconds (s) and were compared using tests.

Results:

Twenty-two pairs of first responders from four fire departments participated, ranging in experience and ALS or BLS training. Group 1 CPR pause times improved after watching the video between Trials 1 and 2, decreasing from 24.9 s (12.8 s) to 17.2 s (4.2 s) (P = 0.07). However, pause times remained relatively unchanged in Trial 3 at 16.5 s (9.2 s), suggesting a plateau in improvement. Group 2 also improved between Trials 1 and 2 (23.5 s [9.9 s] to 16.9 s [6.3 s], P = 0.08), reflecting a practice effect. After watching the video, Group 2 CPR pause times improved further to 12.9 s (3.6 s) in Trial 3 (P = 0.08).

Conclusion:

While short of statistical significance, the minimal additional improvement between Trials 2 and 3 for Group 1 while Group 2 demonstrated improvement after video exposure suggests that the video had an impact reducing CPR pause times beyond the effect of practice alone. These findings may be confirmed with a larger sample size. Overall, training videos and practice should be adopted by EMS protocols to decrease CPR pause times and improve resuscitation.

Presentation Notes

Presented at Scientific Day; May 21, 2025; Park Ridge, IL.

Full Text of Presentation

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Document Type

Poster


 

Open Access

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May 21st, 11:41 AM May 21st, 1:15 PM

Impact of a Training Video on Mechanical CPR Device Application and CPR Pause Time Among First Responders

Background/Significance:

Mechanical chest compression systems, such as the Lund University Cardiopulmonary Assist System (LUCAS), provide consistent high-quality CPR through constant rate and depth. Despite this, there is no difference in clinical outcomes when comparing mechanical to manual CPR. Studies have found that placement of the LUCAS can result in a 32.5 second pause in compressions on average, and it has been shown that longer pauses in chest compressions correlate with decreased survival rates.

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether pauses in compressions could be shortened with standardized video training on LUCAS application.

Methods:

First responders from fire departments in the south suburbs of Chicago were recruited in teams of two to participate in a scenario requiring manual chest compressions and LUCAS device application. To control for the effect of practice each team performed three trials of the exercise and was randomly assigned to one of two groups: 1) a group who viewed a LUCAS training video between the first and second trial or 2) a group that viewed the video between the second and third trial. CPR pause times were recorded using a pressure sensor attached to a mannequin and manually by investigators using stopwatches. Times are reported as average in seconds (s) and were compared using tests.

Results:

Twenty-two pairs of first responders from four fire departments participated, ranging in experience and ALS or BLS training. Group 1 CPR pause times improved after watching the video between Trials 1 and 2, decreasing from 24.9 s (12.8 s) to 17.2 s (4.2 s) (P = 0.07). However, pause times remained relatively unchanged in Trial 3 at 16.5 s (9.2 s), suggesting a plateau in improvement. Group 2 also improved between Trials 1 and 2 (23.5 s [9.9 s] to 16.9 s [6.3 s], P = 0.08), reflecting a practice effect. After watching the video, Group 2 CPR pause times improved further to 12.9 s (3.6 s) in Trial 3 (P = 0.08).

Conclusion:

While short of statistical significance, the minimal additional improvement between Trials 2 and 3 for Group 1 while Group 2 demonstrated improvement after video exposure suggests that the video had an impact reducing CPR pause times beyond the effect of practice alone. These findings may be confirmed with a larger sample size. Overall, training videos and practice should be adopted by EMS protocols to decrease CPR pause times and improve resuscitation.

 

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