Determinants of the quality of basic life support by hospital nurses

Verplancke, T.; De Paepe, P.; Calle, P.A.; De Regge, M.; Van Maele, G.; Monsieurs, K.G.

doi:10.1016/J.RESUSCITATION.2007.10.006

Title

Determinants of the quality of basic life support by hospital nurses

Author

Verplancke, T.

De Paepe, P.

Calle, P.A.

De Regge, M.

Van Maele, G.

Monsieurs, K.G.

Abstract

Introduction Good quality basic life support (BLS) results in better survival. BLS is a core competence of nurses but despite regular refresher training, the quality of BLS is often poor and the reasons for this are not well known. We therefore investigated the relation between BLS quality and some of its potential determinants. Materials and methods During a BLS refresher course, 296 nurses from non-critical care wards completed a questionnaire including demographic data and a self-confidence score. Subsequently, they performed a BLS test on a manikin connected to a PC using Skillreporting System software (Laerdal, Norway). The following variables were recorded: number of ventilations/min, tidal volume, number of compressions/min, compression rate, compression depth, good ventilation (n ≥ 4 min−1 and tidal volume = 7001000 ml) and good compression (n ≥ 40 min−1 and rate = 80120 min−1 and compression depth = 4050 mm). To detect independent determinants of BLS quality, associations between the demographic data and the objective variables of BLS quality were examined. Results Forty-three percent of the nurses rated their confidence as good or very good. Male gender was associated with good compression (P < 0.001). Greater self-confidence was also associated with good ventilation (P < 0.03) and with good compression (P < 0.001). A short time since last BLS training was associated with a higher number of ventilations/min (P = 0.01). A short time since last experience of CPR was associated with a higher number of compressions (P < 0.01). Conclusions Male gender, greater self-confidence, recent BLS training and recent CPR were associated with better quality of BLS.

Language

English

Source (journal)

Resuscitation. - Limerick, 1972, currens

Publication

Limerick : 2008

ISSN

0300-9572 [print]

1873-1570 [online]

DOI

10.1016/J.RESUSCITATION.2007.10.006

Volume/pages