Resuscitation
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The voice advisory manikin (VAM): an innovative approach to pediatric lay provider basic life support skill education.
To determine the efficacy of immediate, standardized, corrective audio feedback training as supplied by the voice advisory manikin (VAM) compared to high quality standardized instructor feedback training for the initial acquisition of 1-rescuer lay provider pediatric BLS skills. ⋯ Immediate, standardized, corrective audio feedback training as supplied by the voice advisory manikin (VAM) can improve initial pediatric basic life support skill acquisition for lay providers even when compared to one-on-one, standardized instructor-led training.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Assessment of Advanced Life Support competence when combining different test methods--reliability and validity.
Robust assessment of Advanced Life Support (ALS) competence is paramount to the credibility of ALS-provider certification and for estimating the learning outcome and retention of ALS competence following the courses. The European Resuscitation Council (ERC) provides two sets of MCQs and four Cardiac Arrest Simulation Test (CASTest) scenarios for the assessments according to guidelines 2005. ⋯ ERC sub-tests of ALS competence possess sufficient reliability and validity. A combined ALS score with equal weighting of one MCQ and one CASTest can be used as a single measurement of ALS competence.
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The 'ABC for life' programme was designed to facilitate the wider dissemination of basic life support (BLS) skills and knowledge in the population. A previous study demonstrated that using this programme 10-12-year olds are capable of performing and retaining these vital skills when taught by medical students. There are approximately 25,000 year 7 school children in 900 primary schools in Northern Ireland. By using a pyramidal teaching approach involving medical students and teachers, there is the potential to train BLS to all of these children each year. ⋯ This study demonstrates that primary school teachers, previously trained by medical students, can teach BLS effectively to 10-12-year-old children using the 'ABC for life' programme.
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Clinical Trial
Feasibility and efficacy of a new non-invasive surface cooling device in post-resuscitation intensive care medicine.
There is sufficient evidence that therapeutic hypothermia after non-traumatic cardiac arrest improves neurological outcome and reduces mortality. Many different invasive and non-invasive cooling devices are currently available. Our purpose was to show the efficacy, safety and feasibility using a non-invasive cooling device to control patient temperature within a range of 33-37 degrees C. ⋯ Using the Arctic Sun System in post-resuscitation care medicine for cooling cardiac arrest survivors is feasible and has proven to be highly effective in lowering patients' temperature rapidly without inducing skin irritations.
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Several different ventricular fibrillation (VF) analysis features based on ECG have been reported for shock outcome prediction. In this study we investigated the influence of the time from VF onset to shock delivery (VF duration) and the rhythm before onset of VF, on the probability of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). We also analysed how these factors relate to the VF analysis feature median slope. ⋯ Based on our findings, detection of VF during ongoing chest compressions might be valuable because VF of short duration was associated with ROSC. Further, the rhythm before VF affects shock outcome with a perfusing rhythm giving the best prospect. The median slope can be used for shock outcome prediction, but not for determining VF duration. A combination could be beneficial and warrants further studies.