Effectiveness of Minimal Training Techniques on the use of Automated External Defibrillators

Abstract

After receiving one of three types of automated external defibrillator (AED) training (exposure only, low, and high) and a two week retention interval, participants resuscitated a manikin with an AED. The groups' performances were compared using three measures — time to shock, electrode pad placement, and errors — and subjective measures. It was expected that 90% of participants in all groups would perform at the minimally acceptable level; however the high group was expected to perform closer to the ideal level than less trained groups.

Most participants performed at the minimally acceptable level for time to shock, pad placement, and safety. Ease-of-use and confidence ratings were high, indicating participants felt positively about the AED. When compared to exposure-only training, low and high training had beneficial effects on time to shock, errors, and confidence, suggesting that while untrained (exposure only) users are able to use AEDs, even brief training will improve performance.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Chain of Survival (n.d.). Chain of survival: SCA and defibrillation. Retrieved September 8, 2004 from http://www.chainofsurvival.com/sca/SCAandDefibrillaton_detail.asp.

Concise Medical Dictionary. Oxford University Press, 2002. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Clemson University. Retrieved May 15, 2005 from http://www.oxfordreference.com.

Craik

F.I.M.

Lockhart

R.S.

(1972). Levels of processing: A framework for memory research. Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 11, 671–684.

Ghio

A.F.

(2003). Help in a Heartbeat: Public-access defibrillation gains ground in San Diego, saving the lives of those who suffer sudden cardiac arrest. Fire Chief. 47(9), 44–46, 48.

Hyde

T.S.

Jenkins

J.J.

(1969). Differential effects of incidental tasks on the organization of recall of a list of highly associated words. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 82, 472–481. National Center for Early Defibrillation (2002). Sudden Cardiac Arrest Overview. Retrieved September 8, 2004 from http://www.early-defib.org/03_01.html.

National Center for Early Defibrillation (2002). Sudden Cardiac Arrest Overview. Retrieved September 8, 2004 from http://www.early-defib.org/03_01.html.

Simes

R.J.

(1986). An improved Bonferroni procedure for multiple tests of significance. Biometrika. 73(3), 751–4.

Varon

Marik

(2003). Treatment of Cardiac Arrest with Automatic External Defibrillators: Impact on Health Outcomes. American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs. 3, 265–270.