[Differences between Spain's autonomous communities in the availability of semi-automatic external defibrillators outside the healthcare setting]. / Diferencias entre comunidades autónomas de España en la dotación de desfibriladores externos semiautomáticos fuera del ámbito sanitario.

BACKGROUND: Early defibrillation is one of the interventions that can most influence the prognosis of cardiac arrest. The objectives of this study were to determine the number of automatic external defibrillators outside the healthcare setting in each autonomous community in Spain and to compare the legislation of each autonomous community on the mandatory installation of defibrillators outside the healthcare setting. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was carried out between December 2021 and January 2022 by consulting official data in the 17 Spanish autonomous communities. RESULTS: Complete data on the number of registered defibrillators were obtained from 15 autonomous communities. The number of defibrillators ranged from 35 to 126 per 100,000 inhabitants. At the global level, differences were observed between communities with mandatory defibrillator installation and those without (92.1 vs. 57.8 defibrillators/100,000 inhabitants). CONCLUSIONS: There is heterogeneity in the provision of defibrillators outside the health care setting, which seems to be related to the diversity of legislation on the mandatory installation of defibrillators.

Identification of potentially irritating intravenous medications.

AIMS: To identify commonly used intravenous drugs that may produce endothelial damage. METHODS: An experimental research study was performed using a sample of 62 intravenous drugs commonly used in emergency care, pH and osmolarity were measured. Subsequently, based on these values, the theoretical capacity to cause irritation or endovascular damage was determined and classified as high, moderate, and low. RESULTS: Samples from 19 drugs for fluid therapy, 21 antibiotics and 22 drugs for intravenous use were studied. Glucose solutions, sodium bicarbonate 1M and mannitol 10% showed a high capacity to cause venous irritation. Vancomycin, ciprofloxacin, amiodarone, haloperidol, and labetalol solution presented a high capacity for irritation based on their acidic pH. The antibiotics, dexketoprofen, diazepam, digoxin, etomidate, phenytoin, levetiracetam and metamizole also showed high osmotic values in their reconstituted or undiluted presentations. Moreover, osmolarity of diazepam, digoxin and phenytoin remained high despite being diluted in 100 ml of saline. CONCLUSIONS: Knowing the pH and osmolarity of intravenous drugs allows their capacity to cause endothelial damage to be assessed. The use of comprehensive tables based on the chemical properties of the drugs can be a useful tool to help prevent chemically-induced phlebitis.

Rescuers' characteristics associated with the correct chest compression during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

AIM: To analyse the caregivers' physical, anthropometrical and educational characteristics associated with adequate chest compression and full chest recoil during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). METHODS: An observational prospective research study was conducted. Emergency and critical care health professionals and students performed two minutes of chest compressions on a dummy. Depth and residual leaning after the compressions were assessed and their association with several variables (physical, anthropometrical, and educational) was analysed using logistic regression models. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-eight volunteers participated. Previous experience of the rescuer in less than six CPRs (OR = 3.03; 95% CI 1.2-7.63) was related to a higher probability of not achieving an adequate depth of compressions. Greater height (OR: .93; 95% CI .87-.99) and grip strength (OR: .94; 95% CI .89-.99) were associated with correct performance of chest compression. We did not find any characteristic related to chest recoil. CONCLUSIONS: The caregiver's previous experience with CPR was the strongest factor associated with adequate performance of chest compressions. To a lesser extent, the professional's height and upper body muscle strength also have an influence. No factors associated with the adequacy of full chest recoil were identified.

Características de los reanimadores asociadas a la correcta compresión torácica durante la reanimación cardiopulmonar / Rescuers’ characteristics associated with the correct chest compression during cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Objetivos: Analizar las características físicas, antropométricas y formativas de los reanimadores asociadas a la correcta compresión y reexpansión torácica durante la reanimación cardiopulmonar. Metodología: Estudio observacional prospectivo. Profesionales y estudiantes sanitarios de urgencias y cuidados críticos realizaron 2min de compresiones torácicas sobre un maniquí. Se evaluó la profundidad y la presión residual tras las compresiones, y se estudió su asociación a diferentes variables (físicas, antropométricas y formativas) mediante la creación de modelos de regresión logística. Resultados: Participaron 238 voluntarios. Que el reanimador tuviese una experiencia previa en menos de 6 reanimaciones cardiopulmonares (OR: 3,03; IC 95%: 1,2-7,63) se asoció a una mayor probabilidad de no lograr una profundidad adecuada en las compresiones. Una mayor estatura (OR: 0,93; IC 95%: 0,87-0,99) y fuerza de aprehensión (OR: 0,94; IC 95%: 0,89-0,99) fueron condiciones que actuaron como factores predisponentes a la ejecución de una técnica correcta. Ninguna característica se asoció a la adecuación de la reexpansión torácica. Conclusiones: La experiencia previa del reanimador es el factor más fuertemente asociado a la correcta ejecución de las compresiones torácicas. En menor medida, también influye la estatura y la fuerza del tren superior del profesional. No se han identificado factores asociados a la adecuación de la reexpansión torácica tras las compresiones.(AU)

Aim: To analyse the caregivers’ physical, anthropometrical and educational characteristics associated with adequate chest compression and full chest recoil during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Methods: An observational prospective research study was conducted. Emergency and critical care health professionals and students performed two minutes of chest compressions on a dummy. Depth and residual leaning after the compressions were assessed and their association with several variables (physical, anthropometrical, and educational) was analysed using logistic regression models. Results: Two hundred thirty-eight volunteers participated. Previous experience of the rescuer in less than six CPRs (OR: 3.03; CI 95%: 1.2-7.63) was related to a higher probability of not achieving an adequate depth of compressions. Greater height (OR: .93; 95% CI: .87-.99) and grip strength (OR: .94; 95% CI: .89-.99) were associated with correct performance of chest compression. We did not find any characteristic related to chest recoil. Conclusions: The caregiver's previous experience with CPR was the strongest factor associated with adequate performance of chest compressions. To a lesser extent, the professional's height and upper body muscle strength also have an influence. No factors associated with the adequacy of full chest recoil were identified.(AU)

Identificación de medicamentos intravenosos potencialmente irritantes / Identification of potentially irritating intravenous medications

Objetivos: Identificar los medicamentos intravenosos de uso común en el ámbito hospitalario con capacidad de producir daño endotelial. Método: Estudio experimental in vitro. La muestra estuvo formada por 62 medicamentos de uso común en los servicios de urgencias y hospitalización. Las variables estudiadas fueron la osmolaridad y el pH. Posteriormente, en base a esos valores, se determinó la capacidad teórica para provocar daño endotelial, clasificándola en alta, moderada y baja. Resultados: Se analizaron 19 medicamentos para fluidoterapia, 21 antibióticos y 22 medicamentos intravenosos. Las soluciones de glucosa, el bicarbonato 1M y el manitol 10% presentaron una capacidad elevada para provocar irritación venosa. Vancomicina, ciprofloxacino, amiodarona, haloperidol y labetalol mostraron una capacidad irritativa elevada derivada de su pH marcadamente ácido. Los antibióticos, dexketoprofeno, diazepam, digoxina, etomidato, fenitoína, levetiracetam y metamizol presentaron valores extremos de osmolaridad en su presentación reconstituida o sin diluir, y mantuvieron sus valores de tonicidad elevados después de diluirlos en 100ml de suero salino el diazepam, la digoxina y la fenitoína. Conclusiones: Conocer el pH y la osmolaridad de los medicamentos intravenosos permite evaluar su capacidad para provocar daño endotelial. La creación de tablas comprensivas en base a las propiedades químicas de los medicamentos puede constituir una herramienta útil que contribuya a prevenir la flebitis químicamente inducida.(AU)

Aims: To identify commonly used intravenous drugs that may produce endothelial damage. Methods: An experimental research study was performed using a sample of 62 intravenous drugs commonly used in emergency care, pH and osmolarity were measured. Subsequently, based on these values, the theoretical capacity to cause irritation or endovascular damage was determined and classified as high, moderate, and low. Results: Samples from 19 drugs for fluid therapy, 21 antibiotics and 22 drugs for intravenous use were studied. Glucose solutions, sodium bicarbonate 1M and mannitol 10% showed a high capacity to cause venous irritation. Vancomycin, ciprofloxacin, amiodarone, haloperidol, and labetalol solution presented a high capacity for irritation based on their acidic pH. The antibiotics, dexketoprofen, diazepam, digoxin, etomidate, phenytoin, levetiracetam and metamizole also showed high osmotic values in their reconstituted or undiluted presentations. Moreover, osmolarity of diazepam, digoxin and phenytoin remained high despite being diluted in 100mL of saline. Conclusions: Knowing the pH and osmolarity of intravenous drugs allows their capacity to cause endothelial damage to be assessed. The use of comprehensive tables based on the chemical properties of the drugs can be a useful tool to help prevent chemically-induced phlebitis.(AU)

Rescuers' characteristics associated with the correct chest compression during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. / Características de los reanimadores asociadas a la correcta compresión torácica durante la reanimación cardiopulmonar.

AIM: To analyse the caregivers' physical, anthropometrical and educational characteristics associated with adequate chest compression and full chest recoil during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). METHODS: An observational prospective research study was conducted. Emergency and critical care health professionals and students performed two minutes of chest compressions on a dummy. Depth and residual leaning after the compressions were assessed and their association with several variables (physical, anthropometrical, and educational) was analysed using logistic regression models. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-eight volunteers participated. Previous experience of the rescuer in less than six CPRs (OR: 3.03; CI 95%: 1.2-7.63) was related to a higher probability of not achieving an adequate depth of compressions. Greater height (OR: .93; 95% CI: .87-.99) and grip strength (OR: .94; 95% CI: .89-.99) were associated with correct performance of chest compression. We did not find any characteristic related to chest recoil. CONCLUSIONS: The caregiver's previous experience with CPR was the strongest factor associated with adequate performance of chest compressions. To a lesser extent, the professional's height and upper body muscle strength also have an influence. No factors associated with the adequacy of full chest recoil were identified.

[Analysis of dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation instructions to laypersons in an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest].

Randomized simulation trial to analyze dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation instructions provided from the emergency call center in an out-of-hospital heart arrest assisted by lay persons. An analysis of the telephone instructions was performed using a 14-item checklist by two external researchers. Simulations lasted nine minutes. Twenty-one volunteers were enrolled. All of them started resuscitation maneuvers. Telephone instructions were verbalized in very heterogeneous ways. Half of the indicators exceeded 90% compliance. Frequently the recommendation of push hard and fast on the patient's chest was omitted and the dispatcher tended to mark a slower compression rate. The average time from the call to the start of the resuscitation was 3 min 33 s (SD: 1 min 7 s). The telephone instructions were verbalized in a very heterogeneous way. It is necessary to standardize and provide training in how to guide a dispatcher-assisted resuscitation.

Analysis of dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation instructions to laypersons in an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest / Análisis de las instrucciones de la reanimación cardiopulmonar guiada por teléfono en paradas cardiacas extrahospitalarias atendidas por ciudadanos

Randomized simulation trial to analyze dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation instructions provided from the emergency call center in an out-of-hospital heart arrest assisted by lay persons. An analysis of the telephone instructions was performed using a 14-item checklist by two external researchers. Simulations lasted nine minutes. Twenty-one volunteers were enrolled. All of them started resuscitation maneuvers. Telephone instructions were verbalized in very heterogeneous ways. Half of the indicators exceeded 90% compliance. Frequently the recommendation of push hard and fast on the patient's chest was omitted and the dispatcher tended to mark a slower compression rate. The average time from the call to the start of the resuscitation was 3 min 33 s (SD: 1 min 7 s). The telephone instructions were verbalized in a very heterogeneous way. It is necessary to standardize and provide training in how to guide a dispatcher-assisted resuscitation

Estudio de simulación para analizar el contenido de las instrucciones telefónicas de reanimación cardiopulmonar emitidas por un centro coordinador de urgencias durante la parada cardiaca extrahospitalaria asistida por ciudadanos sin entrenamiento. Cada simulación duró nueve minutos. El análisis de las instrucciones telefónicas fue realizado por dos observadores mediante una lista de comprobación de catorce indicadores. Participaron veintiún voluntarios. Todos fueron capaces de iniciar maniobras de reanimación. La mitad de los indicadores superaron el 90% de cumplimiento. Frecuentemente se omitió la necesidad de comprimir fuerte y rápido el tórax, con tendencia a marcar un ritmo de compresiones lento. El tiempo medio desde la llamada hasta el inicio de la reanimación fue de 3 min 33 s (DE: 1 min 7 s). Las instrucciones telefónicas se verbalizaron de formas muy heterogéneas. Es preciso normalizar y entrenar la forma de guiar telefónicamente una reanimación

Contaminación microbiológica en humidificadores de sistemas de oxigenoterapia de alto y bajo flujo: una revisión sistemática / Microbiological contamination in high and low flow oxygen humidifiers: A systematic review

Objetivo: Determinar el riesgo de contaminación microbiológica de los humidificadores de burbujeo para oxigenoterapia de alto o bajo flujo de uso hospitalario. Métodos: Revisión sistemática de la literatura a través de 6 bases de datos bibliográficas. Se seleccionaron estudios observacionales o experimentales publicados entre 1990 y 2016, en inglés o español, que analizaban la contaminación microbiana de los humidificadores de burbujeo de los dispositivos de oxigenoterapia hospitalaria de alto y bajo flujo. Resultados: Se incluyeron 12 artículos: 4 analizaron el agua de humidificadores reutilizables, 4 de desechables y otros 4 compararon muestras procedentes de ambos modelos. Se observó la presencia de contaminación microbiana en todos los estudios que evaluaron humidificadores reutilizables (generalmente bacterias habituales de la flora cutánea). En 2 de ellos se notificaron aislamientos de especies potencialmente patogénicas. No se aisló contaminación microbiana en las muestras procedentes de modelos desechables, independientemente de si fueron utilizados por un único paciente o por varios de forma consecutiva a lo largo del tiempo. Conclusión: Parece existir bajo riesgo de contaminación en humidificadores desechables durante las primeras semanas de uso, pudiendo reutilizarse entre pacientes distintos sin riesgo de contaminación cruzada. Por otro lado, cabe destacar que la manipulación de los humidificadores reutilizables de forma no aséptica puede aumentar la probabilidad de contaminación, por lo que la sustitución de humidificadores reutilizables por modelos desechables podría ser la opción más segura

Aim: To determine the risk of microbiological contamination with hospital use high- and low-flow bubbling humidifiers. Methods: A systematic literature review was carried out in 6 databases. Observational or experimental studies published between 1990 and 2016 were selected, written in English or Spanish, and in which microbiological contamination with hospital use high- and low-flow bubbling humidifiers was investigated. Results: A total of 12 articles were included: 4 analyzed the water from reusable humidifiers, 4 analyzed the water from prefilled system humidifiers, and the rest compared samples from both models. Microbial contamination was observed in all studies in which reusable humidifiers were evaluated, usually involving common bacteria from the skin flora, while potential pathogenic species were notified in 2 studies. No microbial contamination was isolated from reusable humidifiers, regardless of whether they had been consecutively used over time by a single patient or by several patients. Conclusion: On one hand, there seems to be a low risk of contamination during the first weeks of use of prefilled humidifiers, which allows multiple use in different patients, without a risk of cross-contamination. On the other hand, it should be underscored that handling reusable humidifiers without correct aseptic measures can increase the risk of contamination; replacing reusable humidifiers with prefilled models therefore could be the safest option

Microbiological contamination in high and low flow oxygen humidifiers: A systematic review. / Contaminación microbiológica en humidificadores de sistemas de oxigenoterapia de alto y bajo flujo: una revisión sistemática.

AIM: To determine the risk of microbiological contamination with hospital use high- and low-flow bubbling humidifiers. METHODS: A systematic literature review was carried out in 6 databases. Observational or experimental studies published between 1990 and 2016 were selected, written in English or Spanish, and in which microbiological contamination with hospital use high- and low-flow bubbling humidifiers was investigated. RESULTS: A total of 12 articles were included: 4 analyzed the water from reusable humidifiers, 4 analyzed the water from prefilled system humidifiers, and the rest compared samples from both models. Microbial contamination was observed in all studies in which reusable humidifiers were evaluated, usually involving common bacteria from the skin flora, while potential pathogenic species were notified in 2 studies. No microbial contamination was isolated from reusable humidifiers, regardless of whether they had been consecutively used over time by a single patient or by several patients. CONCLUSION: On one hand, there seems to be a low risk of contamination during the first weeks of use of prefilled humidifiers, which allows multiple use in different patients, without a risk of cross-contamination. On the other hand, it should be underscored that handling reusable humidifiers without correct aseptic measures can increase the risk of contamination; replacing reusable humidifiers with prefilled models therefore could be the safest option.