Abstract
Background
The effectiveness of chest compressions for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is
affected by the rescuer's position with respect to the patient. In hospitals, chest
compressions are typically performed while standing beside the patient, who is placed
on a bed.
Study Objectives
To compare the effectiveness of chest compressions, performed on a bed during 2 min
of CPR, among three different rescuer positions: standing, on a footstool, or kneeling
on the bed.
Methods
We performed a crossover randomized simulation trial. Participants were recruited
from among students in the Department of Paramedics from July to August 2011. Thirty-eight
participants were enrolled, and they performed chest compressions on a mannequin for
2 min in each of the three different positions, with a 1-week interval between each
position.
Results
The number of adequate compressions (depth > 50 mm) and the mean compression depth
were significantly greater in the kneeling and footstool positions than in the standing
position, but there was no significant difference between the kneeling and footstool
positions. There were no significant differences in the compression rate, the percentage
of correctly released compressions, and the percentage of compressions performed using
the correct hand position among the three rescuer positions.
Conclusion
The mean compression depth and the number of adequate compressions were greater for
both the kneeling and footstool positions than for the standing position during 2 min
of CPR. We recommend kneeling on a bed or standing on a footstool as the rescuer positions
during hospital CPR on a bed.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 21, 2013
Accepted:
August 16,
2013
Received in revised form:
June 10,
2013
Received:
November 14,
2012
Identification
Copyright
© 2014 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
