A simulation trial of traditional dispatcher-assisted CPR versus compressions--only dispatcher-assisted CPR.

Objectives: Growing evidence indicates that it may not be essential to deliver ventilations in the first few minutes of CPR. We compared time to delivery of first compression in traditional CPR with ventilations and compressions to compression-only CPR performed by untrained laypersons assisted by a mock 911 dispatcher.

Methods: This randomized-controlled simulation study included a convenience sample of English-speaking emergency department visitors during a 6-month period. Exclusion criteria were prior CPR training or physical incapacity. A cardiac arrest scenario was presented to subjects who were then provided with one of two sets of telephone CPR instructions by a mock 911 dispatcher. One group received traditional CPR instructions (TCPR) and the second group received compression only CPR instructions (COCPR). Subjects performed CPR on a Laerdal Resusci-Anne CPR manikin and recording strips were analyzed for frequency and quality measures. Pre-and post-test questionnaires assessed subject fatigue and telephone instruction understanding. The primary outcome was the time interval from 911 call to initiation of chest compressions. Analysis included Student t-test, Chi-square, and Wilcoxon Rank Sum.

Results: Of 377 potential subjects, 54 consented to randomization. The data from 50 subjects were analyzed. Compared to group TCPR, group COCPR initiated chest compressions faster (72 vs 117 sec, p < 0.0001), completed four cycles of CPR faster (168 vs. 250 sec, p < 0.0001), and paused for a smaller percentage of the resuscitation (13% vs. 36%, p < 0.0001). Only 9% of ventilation opportunities in the TCPR group yielded ventilations of the correct volume. There were no differences between groups in perceived understanding of CPR instruction or fatigue.

Conclusions: We have identified the potential timesavings that may occur during compressions-only CPR. Bystander resuscitation may be more efficient when ventilations are excluded from the CPR sequence.