Authors: BOLLE, S. R.¹; SCHOLL, J.¹; GILBERT, M.²

Source: Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica, Volume 53, Number 1, January 2009 , pp. 116-120(5)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

Background:

Because mobile telephones may support video calls, emergency medical dispatchers may now connect visually with bystanders during pre-hospital cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). We studied the quality of simulated dispatcher-assisted CPR when guidance was delivered to rescuers by video calls or audio calls from mobile phones. Methods:

One hundred and eighty high school students were randomly assigned in groups of three to communicate via video calls or audio calls with experienced nurse dispatchers at a Hospital Emergency Medical Dispatch Center. CPR was performed on a recording resuscitation manikin during simulated cardiac arrest. Quality of CPR and time factors were compared depending on the type of communication used. Results:

The median CPR time without chest compression (`hands-off time') was shorter in the video-call group vs. the audio-call group (303 vs. 331 s; P=0.048), but the median time to first compression was not shorter (104 vs. 102 s; P=0.29). The median time to first ventilation was insignificantly shorter in the video-call group (176 vs. 205 s; P=0.16). This group also had a slightly higher proportion of ventiliations without error (0.11 vs. 0.06; P=0.30). Conclusion:

Video communication is unlikely to improve telephone CPR (t-CPR) significantly without proper training of dispatchers and when using dispatch protocols written for audio-only calls. Improved dispatch procedures and training for handling video calls require further investigation.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-6576.2008.01779.x

Affiliations: 1: Norwegian Centre for Telemedicine and 2: Department of Emergency Medicine, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsφ, Norway

Publication date: 2009-01-01

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