Training approaches for the deployment of a mechanical chest compression device: A randomised controlled manikin study

Abstract

Objectives To evaluate the effect of training strategy on team deployment of a mechanical chest compression device. Design Randomised controlled manikin trial. Setting Large teaching hospital in the UK. Participants Twenty teams, each comprising three clinicians. Participating individuals were health professionals with intermediate or advanced resuscitation training. Interventions Teams were randomised in a 1:1 ratio to receive either standard mechanical chest compression device training or pit-crew device training. Training interventions lasted up to 1 h. Performance was measured immediately after training in a standardised simulated cardiac arrest scenario in which teams were required to deploy a mechanical chest compression device. Primary and secondary outcome measures Primary outcome was chest compression flow fraction in the minute preceding the first mechanical chest compression. Secondary outcomes included cardiopulmonary resuscitation quality and mechanical device deployment metrics, and non-Technical skill performance. Outcomes were assessed using video recordings of the test scenario. Results In relation to the primary outcome of chest compression flow fraction in the minute preceding the first mechanical chest compression, we found that pitcrew training was not superior to standard training (0.76 (95% CI 0.73 to 0.79) vs 0.77 (95% CI 0.73 to 0.82), mean difference -0.01 (95% CI -0.06 to 0.03), P=0.572). There was also no difference between groups in performance in relation to any secondary outcome. Conclusions Pit-crew training, compared with standard training, did not improve team deployment of a mechanical chest device in a simulated cardiac arrest scenario. Trial registration number ISRCTN43049287; Pre-results.