Time for a Closer Look at Cardiac Arrest Ventilation
Main Article Content
Keywords
ventilation, cardiac arrest, BLS-D, training, education
Abstract
Background: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a global health issue with an incidence of approximately 1 in 1000 inhabitants and a survival rate around 10%. Survival depends on various factors, including incident location, proximity to first responders, availability of defibrillation, and quality of bystander CPR. Guidelines recommend maintaining a ventilation rate of 10 breaths per minute for adult patients with a tracheal tube or supraglottic airway. Excessive ventilation reduces survival rates by increasing intratracheal pressures and decreasing coronary perfusion.
Results: This study analyzed the respiratory rates (RR) of 159 nurses during retraining courses by the SIMED training center in 2023. Participants had previously completed a certified Basic Life Support and Defibrillation (BLSD) course. Using a recording dummy, the mean RR was 14 breaths per minute. Only 7.5% of participants adhered to the guideline of 10 breaths per minute, while 26.4% were slightly out of range and 66% were completely out of range.
Discussion: The findings highlight a significant deviation from established guidelines, with a mean RR of 14 breaths per minute during resuscitation. This raises concerns about the consistency and quality of care during cardiac arrest, as hyperventilation can compromise patient outcomes. The study indicates a systemic issue in resuscitation practices, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive review to improve adherence to guidelines.
Conclusion: The study reveals a decline in practical skills among nurses trained in BLSD upon retraining, suggesting a need for revised BLSD guidelines and certification durations. Enhanced focus on ventilation during training is essential for effective resuscitation.