[The importance of CPR training for assessing the knowledge and skills of hospital medical and nursing personnel].

BACKGROUND

Saving life demands only two hands and some basic knowledge. A qualified person can open airways, resuscitate, massage a heart and call for help. A person with cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training can sustain an ailing person's heart and brain for a short time. However, knowledge of CPR guidelines and skills is not enough; medical and nursing practitioners must practice and train regularly to hone those skills. Western Galilee Hospital has developed simulator programs for surprise CPR training exercises in all hospital departments and units.

OBJECTIVE

To use surprise drills in order to improve the quality of resuscitation and CPR methods.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

ACLS (Advanced cardiac life support) instructors use a computerized simulation mannequin (SIM 4000). Two to three surprise drills are conducted in the hospital each week. At the end of each drill, a final report is given to the department head and a staff meeting is held to discuss the drill results. Between the years 2003-2005, 131 drills were carried out in 30 different departments of Western Galilee Hospital. Nine criteria are measured and scored in the drill: reaction time, ABC principles, calling the doctor, CPR knowledge, CPR skills, resuscitation management, staff work, resuscitation chart, and defibrillator management. Drills are compared with previous drills performed in the same department, and with drills conducted in other departments. Data is analyzed using Anova, Kruskal-Wallis, independent t-test and Spearman correlation coefficient test.

RESULTS

Improvement was found in the results of the drills held from 2003-2005, mainly in the medical departments as compared with the surgical departments and ambulatory clinics. The average score in 2005 was 77.2 (p = 0.001), compared with 74 (p = 0.012) in 2004, and 59 (p < 0.001) in 2003. Improved criteria included: calling the doctor, staff work, CPR knowledge, and defibrillator (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

It is our belief that surprise resuscitation drills are the key to improve functioning during actual emergency resuscitation, both on a departmental and a general hospital level.