J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2010 Aug;21(4):417-422.

Is it Possible to Perform Chest Compression in Various Alternative Positions in a Confined Space?: A Manikin and Simulation Study

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Emergency Medicine, School Of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea. kjbaekmd@kuh.ac.kr

Abstract

PURPOSE: Standard chest compression is useful for cardiopulmonary resuscitation of victims but may be difficult to perform in a confined space if the victim is lying on his side. The aim of this study was to evaluate compression techniques administered to individuals lying in various alternative positions, and to determine which ones may be easier to perform in such situations.
METHODS
Thirty two volunteers trained in basic life support (BLS) were enrolled. They were taught to do compression in four alternative positions (over-head position (OHP), saddle position (SP), upper diagonal position (UDP) and lower diagonal position (LDP)). For each position, they performed two minutes of continuous chest compression on a manikin that was connected to a Laerdal PC Skill Reporting System. They did this for the basic standard position (BSP) and four alternative positions with the positions presented randomly. The data, including the total number of compressions, the average rate of chest compressions per minute, the depth of each chest compression, and the position of the hands were recorded and analysed.
RESULTS
There were no statistically significant differences between BSP and alternative positions for the total number of compressions (BSP:108.8 min-1; OHP:109.5 min-1; SP:107.8 min-1; UDP:108.5 min-1; LDP:107.7 min-1) of chest compressions. There was no statistically significant difference between BSP and alternative positions for the average depth of each compression (BSP:41.9 mm; OHP:44.4 mm; SP:41.8 mm; UDP:42.9 mm; LDP:41.1 mm), or for the number of incorrect hand positions except UDP (BSP versus UDP = 6.4 versus 32.5). p<0.054 is not normally considered significant. The p value has to be 0.050 or smaller.
CONCLUSION
Chest compression in alternative positions can be equally effective as it is in the standard position. If chest compression in the standard position is not easily executable in a confined space, chest compression using an alternative positions can be used.

Keyword

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Chest wall oscillation; Manikins

MeSH Terms

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Chest Wall Oscillation
Confined Spaces
Deception
Hand
Manikins
Thorax
Uridine Diphosphate
Uridine Diphosphate
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