Real-Time Visual Feedback Device Improves Quality of Chest Compressions; A Manikin Study

Objective: to evaluate the impact of a real-time visual feedback device on ccs rate and depth delivered by healthcare professionals. methods: in a simulated scenario a sensor was placed on a manikin’s chest and connected to a defibrillator which provided real-time visual feedback on the rate and depth of ccs. thirty-two healthcare professionals performed sequentially 5 cycles of 30 ccs without (feedoff) and with (feedon) feedback. ccs with a depth between 50 and 60mm and a rate between 100 and 120cpm were considered optimal. results: visual feedback resulted in a significant increase in the proportion of ccs with optimal depth (median 8.7 [interquartile range 0.7–55.5]% feedoff vs 63.3 [17.6–88.1]% feedon, p=0.002) and optimal rate (median 51.3 [1.3–81.3]% feedoff vs 68.3 [45.3–86.1]% feedon, p=0.018). overall, ccs were too shallow and too fast in the feedoff cycle. there was also a significant increase in optimal ccs (optimal depth and rate) with the use of the feedback device (from median 0.7 [0–26.9]% feedoff to 31.9 [3.6-59.9]% feedon, p=0.001). participants’ factors such as age, sex, body mass index, job or time since last cpr training did not have a significant impact on cpr quality. conclusions: in the absence of visual feedback, there is a tendency towards lower depth and higher rate of ccs. the use of feedback technology significantly improves the quality of ccs.