Poor Demonstration and Knowledge of AED Electrode Placement by Certified and Experienced BLS/AED Instructors

TY - ABST

T1 - Poor Demonstration and Knowledge of AED Electrode Placement by Certified and Experienced BLS/AED Instructors

AU - Stærk, Mathilde

AU - Vammen, Lauge

AU - Hansen, Camilla

AU - Krogh, Kristian

AU - Løfgren, Bo

PY - 2017/11/14

Y1 - 2017/11/14

N2 - Introduction: Use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) improves survival. Incorrect AED electrode placement may affect defibrillation success and survival. During courses in basic life support (BLS), instructors teach laypeople how to use an AED. However, BLS instructors’ ability to demonstrate correct use of an AED remains to be investigated.Aim: To determine BLS instructors’ competence in using an AED.Methods: Certified BLS instructors were asked to operate a training AED (Lifepak ® CR-T Plus, PhysioControl, default audiotape duration of 67 sec from start to time of shock) on a resuscitation manikin with arms (AMBU ® Man, AMBU) as they would do in a teaching situation but without any explanations. The demonstration by the instructor was video recorded. After shock delivery the AED electrode position was assessed i.e. the distance from the center of the electrode to the recommended position by the European Resuscitation Council. Finally, instructors were asked to complete a questionnaire on resuscitation guidelines.Results: In total, 45 instructors participated and data from 44 instructors were analyzed (1 withdrew consent) (66% male, age: 30 years (Q1;Q3: 26;56), time being an instructor: 4 years (Q1;Q3: 2;10), experience: 9 courses/year (Q1;Q3: 5;26)). Median distance from recommended position for the left AED electrode was 5.2 cm (Q1;Q3: 2.9;10.4) and 1.5 cm (Q1;Q3: 0.9;3.4) for the right AED electrode. Overall, 47% placed the left AED electrode within 5 cm of the recommended position and 84% placed the right AED electrode within 5 cm of the recommended position. The median time-to-shock was 67 s (Q1;Q3: 56;71). Overall, 59% and 66% of instructors could in writing state the recommended AED electrode position.Conclusion: BLS instructors can demonstrate the use of an AED, but often misplace the left AED electrode. Less than two-thirds of BLS instructors can correctly state the recommended AED electrode position.Author Disclosures: M. Stærk: None. L. Vammen: None. C. Hansen: None. K. Krogh: None. B. Løfgren: None.

AB - Introduction: Use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) improves survival. Incorrect AED electrode placement may affect defibrillation success and survival. During courses in basic life support (BLS), instructors teach laypeople how to use an AED. However, BLS instructors’ ability to demonstrate correct use of an AED remains to be investigated.Aim: To determine BLS instructors’ competence in using an AED.Methods: Certified BLS instructors were asked to operate a training AED (Lifepak ® CR-T Plus, PhysioControl, default audiotape duration of 67 sec from start to time of shock) on a resuscitation manikin with arms (AMBU ® Man, AMBU) as they would do in a teaching situation but without any explanations. The demonstration by the instructor was video recorded. After shock delivery the AED electrode position was assessed i.e. the distance from the center of the electrode to the recommended position by the European Resuscitation Council. Finally, instructors were asked to complete a questionnaire on resuscitation guidelines.Results: In total, 45 instructors participated and data from 44 instructors were analyzed (1 withdrew consent) (66% male, age: 30 years (Q1;Q3: 26;56), time being an instructor: 4 years (Q1;Q3: 2;10), experience: 9 courses/year (Q1;Q3: 5;26)). Median distance from recommended position for the left AED electrode was 5.2 cm (Q1;Q3: 2.9;10.4) and 1.5 cm (Q1;Q3: 0.9;3.4) for the right AED electrode. Overall, 47% placed the left AED electrode within 5 cm of the recommended position and 84% placed the right AED electrode within 5 cm of the recommended position. The median time-to-shock was 67 s (Q1;Q3: 56;71). Overall, 59% and 66% of instructors could in writing state the recommended AED electrode position.Conclusion: BLS instructors can demonstrate the use of an AED, but often misplace the left AED electrode. Less than two-thirds of BLS instructors can correctly state the recommended AED electrode position.Author Disclosures: M. Stærk: None. L. Vammen: None. C. Hansen: None. K. Krogh: None. B. Løfgren: None.

M3 - Konferenceabstrakt i tidsskrift

SN - 0009-7322

VL - 136

SP - A16038

JO - Circulation

JF - Circulation

IS - Suppl 1

ER -