Open AccessThe optimal number of personnel for good quality of chest compressions: A prospective randomized parallel manikin trial
Author(s) -
Syunsuke Yamanaka,
Ji Young Huh,
Kei Nishiyama,
Hiroyuki Hayashi
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0189412
Subject(s) - randomized controlled trial , medicine , thermal manikin , physical therapy , surgery , materials science , layer (electronics) , thermal insulation , composite material
Background Long durational chest compression (CC) deteriorates cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) quality. The appropriate number of CC personnel for minimizing rescuer’s fatigue is mostly unknown. Objective We determined the optimal number of personnel needed for 30-min CPR in a rescue-team. Methods We conducted a randomized, manikin trial on healthcare providers. We divided them into Groups A to D according to the assigned different rest period to each group between the 2 min CCs. Groups A, B, C, and D performed CCs at 2, 4, 6, and 8 min rest period. All participants performed CCs for 30 min with a different rest period; participants allocated to Groups A, B, C, and D performed, eight, five, four, and three cycles, respectively. We compared a quality change of CCs among these groups to investigate how the assigned rest period affects the maintenance of CC quality during the 30-min CPR. Results This study involved 143 participants (male 58 [41%]; mean age, 24 years,) for the evaluation. As participants had less rest periods, the quality of their CCs such as sufficient depth ratio declined over 30-min CPR. A significant decrease in the sufficient CC depth ratio was observed in the second to the last cycle as compared to the first cycle. (median changes; A: −4%, B: −3%, C: 0%, and D: 0% p < 0.01). Conclusions A 6 min rest period after 2 min CC is vital in order to sustain the quality of CC during a 30-min CPR cycle. At least four personnel may be needed to reduce rescuer's fatigue for a 30-min CPR cycle when the team consists of men and women.