Abstract
Purpose
Approximately 14 000 pediatric out-of-hospital arrests occur annually. With this significant
number and the diversity in the training backgrounds of medical providers, correct
choice and placement of defibrillator pads are imperative to ensure maximum efficacy.
Methods
One hundred fifty-two emergency medical care providers from 6 medical fields were
recruited for the study. Each participant answered a series of questions to ascertain
baseline knowledge of correct defibrillator pad choice and placement in 2 scenarios
with mannequins weighted less than 15 kg and more than 15 kg. After the testing, each participant received an educational intervention. Six
months after the first phase, participants received a questionnaire to ascertain knowledge
retention.
Results
In the primary study phase, for correct pad choice for mannequins weighing less than
15 kg and more than 15 kg, overall results were 98% (95% confidence interval [CI],
94.1%-100%) and 38.8% (95% CI, 31.4%-46.8%), respectively. In the second phase, pad
choices for mannequins weighing less than 15 kg and more than 15 kg were 77.3% (95%
CI, 68.6%-84.2%) and 60% (95% CI, 47.7%-71.1%). The rates of correct pad placement
during the initial phase for mannequins weighing less than 15 kg and more than 15
kg were 5.8% (95% CI, 2.8%-11.2%) and 25.7%, respectively (95% CI, 19.4%-35.7%). Rates
for correct pad placement (<15-kg and >15-kg mannequins) improved in the second phase to 68.2% (95% CI, 56%–78.4%) and 71.2%
(95% CI, 62.8%-81.5%).
Conclusion
Pediatric emergency providers have poor understanding of pad choice and placement.
Emergency medical care providers for children who are educated about the correct defibrillator
pad choices and placement have improved knowledge and can retain that knowledge for
at least 6 months.
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: November 18, 2013
Accepted:
November 7,
2013
Received in revised form:
November 7,
2013
Received:
September 17,
2013
Footnotes
☆Prior presentations: American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference October 2012, New Orleans, LA (phase 1 and 2 data); American College of Emergency Medicine October 2011, San Francisco, CA (phase 1 data only); and American Federation of Medical Research Eastern Regional Meeting, April 2012 (phase 1 data Only) Washington, DC—Awarded AFMR Eastern Regional Meeting Notable Poster Award.
☆☆Funding sources/disclosures: Inova Research Seed (Grant No. 10.098 ).
Identification
Copyright
© 2014 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
