Background
Emergency department (ED) Service Assistants (SA) at Danish University
Hospital, are part of the cardiac arrest team, thus they are trained in
performing CPR several times a year. Outside the ED, CPR may be delegated to SAs who only participate in a mandatory training once every three years. Besides training, all SAs have to pass an e-learning resuscitation program once a year. Data from the past three years collected automatically from external defibrillators located outside the ED, indicate below standard performance of CPR by SAs. Regrettably, data from defibrillators at the ED does not exist for comparison.

Aim:
To assess the quality of CPR performed in relation to the level of training
and experience by evaluating CPR data readouts from a test taken by
Service Assistants from both ED and external departments.

Methods:
Performances were evaluated in adherence to ERC guidelines (100-
120 compressions/min, compression depth 5-6 cm and recoil position).
Furthermore, participants filled out an accompanying questionnaire
concerning e-learning, training and possibly in performing actual CPR.

Results (n=48) Total population 24 EDs and 350 non-EDs
Service Assistants EDs (n=9) Non-EDs (n=39)
Female % 25 - Male % 23
Correct pressing frequency in % ED 100% - NON-ED 53%
Correct depth of compression in % ED 78% - NON-ED 49%
Correct full recoil in % ED 45% - NON ED 54%

Number of CPR simulations, last 365 days (average) ED 2 - NON-ED 0,2

SA experience performing CPR following a cardiac arrest (average numbers of times) ED 13 - NON-ED 2

Completed e-learning courses, last 365 days %  ED 56% - NON-ED 26%

Conclusion:
Non-ED Service Assistants performed CPR below the level of ED Service Assistants, and frequently did not perform CPR to the standards
of the ERC guidelines. This indicates that frequent training increases the quality of CPR given and is essential to maintaining CPR which lives up to ERC guidelines.

5 - In hospital CPR - is it good enough?