Causes for Pauses During Simulated Pediatric Cardiac Arrest.

OBJECTIVES: Pauses in cardiopulmonary resuscitation negatively impact clinical outcomes; however, little is known about the contributing factors. The objective of this study is to determine the frequency, duration, and causes for pauses during cardiac arrest. DESIGN: This is a secondary analysis of video data collected from a prospective multicenter trial. Twenty-six simulated pediatric cardiac arrest scenarios each lasting 12 minutes in duration were analyzed by two independent reviewers to document events surrounding each pause in chest compressions. SETTING: Ten children's hospitals across Canada, the United, and the United Kingdom. SUBJECTS: Resuscitation teams composed of three healthcare providers trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. INTERVENTIONS: A simulated pediatric cardiac arrest case in a 5 year old. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The frequency, duration, and associated factors for each pause were recorded. Communication was rated using a four-point scale reflecting the team's shared mental model. Two hundred fifty-six pauses were reviewed with a median of 10 pauses per scenario (interquartile range, 7-12). Median pause duration was 5 seconds (interquartile range, 2-9 s), with 91% chest compression fraction per scenario (interquartile range, 88-94%). Only one task occurred during most pauses (66%). The most common tasks were a change of chest compressors (25%), performing pulse check (24%), and performing rhythm check (15%). Forty-nine (19%) of the pauses lasted greater than 10 seconds and were associated with shock delivery (p < 0.001), performing rhythm check (p < 0.001), and performing pulse check (p < 0.001). When a shared mental model was rated high, pauses were significantly shorter (mean difference, 4.2 s; 95% CI, 1.6-6.8 s; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Pauses in cardiopulmonary resuscitation occurred frequently during simulated pediatric cardiac arrest, with variable duration and underlying causes. A large percentage of pauses were greater than 10 seconds and occurred more frequently than the recommended 2-minute interval. Future efforts should focus on improving team coordination to minimize pause frequency and duration.

Are pediatric interns prepared to perform infant lumbar punctures? A multi-institutional descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: There are few data describing pediatric interns' experiences, knowledge, attitudes, and skills related to common procedures. This information would help guide supervisors' decisions about interns' preparedness and training needs. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe pediatric interns' medical school experiences, knowledge, attitudes, and skills with regard to infant lumbar punctures (LPs) and to describe the impact of these factors on interns' infant LP skills. METHODS: This prospective cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at 21 academic medical centers participating during 2010. Participants answered 8 knowledge questions, 3 attitude questions, and 6 experience questions online. Skills were assessed on an infant LP simulator using a 15-item subcomponent checklist and a 4-point global assessment. RESULTS: Eligible interns numbered 493, with 422 (86%) completing surveys and 362 (73%) completing skills assessments. The majority 287/422 (68%) had never performed an infant LP; however, 306 (73%) had observed an infant LP during school. The mean (SD) knowledge score was 63% (±21%). The mean (SD) subcomponent skills checklist score was 73% (±21%). On the global skills assessment, 225 (62%) interns were rated as beginner, and 137 (38%) were rated as competent, proficient, or expert. Independent predictors of an above-beginner simulator performance included infant LP experience on a patient (odds ratio [OR], 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-3.5), a knowledge score greater than 65% (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.5-3.7), or self-reported confidence (OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.9-6.4). CONCLUSIONS: At the start of residency, the majority of pediatric interns have little experience, poor knowledge, and low confidence and are not prepared to perform infant LPs.