Real-Time Visual Feedback Device Improves Quality Of Chest Compressions: A Manikin Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a real-time visual feedback device on Chest comparison (CCs) rate and depth delivered by healthcare professionals. METHODS: In a simulated scenario a sensor was placed on a manikin's chest and connected to a defibrillator which provided real-time visual feedback on the rate and depth of CCs. Thirty-two healthcare professionals performed sequentially 5 cycles of 30 CCs without (FeedOFF) and with (FeedON) feedback. CCs with a depth between 50 and 60mm and a rate between 100 and 120cpm were considered optimal. RESULTS: Visual feedback resulted in a significant increase in the proportion of CCs with optimal depth (median 8.7 [interquartile range 0.7-55.5]% FeedOFF vs 63.3 [17.6-88.1]% FeedON, p=0.002) and optimal rate (median 51.3 [1.3 - 81.3]% FeedOFF vs 68.3 [45.3 - 86.1]% FeedON, p=0.018). Overall, CCs were too shallow and too fast in the FeedOFF cycle. There was also a significant increase in optimal CCs (optimal depth and rate) with the use of the feedback device (from median 0.7 [0 - 26.9]% FeedOFF to 31.9 [3.6-59.9]% FeedON, p=0.001). Participants' factors such as age, sex, body mass index, job or time since last CPR training did not have a significant impact on CPR quality. CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of visual feedback, there is a tendency towards lower depth and higher rate of CCs. The use of feedback technology significantly improves the quality of CCs.