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H J Berden

Publications and source records attributed to H J Berden.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Evaluation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills of general practitioners using different scoring methods.

In this study we evaluated the practical performance of 70 general practitioners in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) before and after instruction and compared checklist-based scores to mechanical recording scores in order to investigate which scoring method is preferable. Both checklist and recording strip-based scores showed significant improvement after instruction, but only 37% were judged proficient according to the American Heart Association standards (checklist scoring), and 47% according to the recording print-based scoring system, while rates judged 97% as satisfactory by general impression. Interrater reliability was highest for the recording print (0.97) and lower for the checklist (0.79), especially for CPR performance (0.56). Comparison of checklist and recording print showed that the checklist was specific but not very sensitive in identifying poor performance for cardiac compression rate, since observers overestimated performance. The correlation for CPR performance between checklist score and recording strip score was low (0.45), indicating that candidates were ranked differently. The correlation between diagnosis and performance score was low for checklist as well as recording print (0.22), indicating that the score on diagnosis was a poor predictor for the score on performance of CPR. These results support the use of the recording manikin as compared with the use of a checklist for formative evaluation of basic life support skills. However, as proficiency in diagnosis and performance in CPR are poorly correlated, assessment of diagnosis using a checklist must be included. Therefore we strongly recommend the combination of assessment by observers using a checklist for diagnostic procedures and the recording strip of the manikin for performance of CPR, as employed in most evaluation schemes.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation↗

Basic-CPR and AIDS: are volunteer life-savers prepared for a storm?

Professional health care workers have access to guidelines, equipment and techniques to reduce the exposure to infectious material in case of resuscitation. The current official content of national courses for volunteer life-savers do not address this issue, as far as we know. Concern about the risks of infection due to resuscitation is increasing in this group. This article describes a rational approach of the problem, that includes data on the infection risk of basic-CPR, and an approach that accepts that the concern can not be controlled by objective data. In such an emotional approach, direct contact has to be minimised by using devices. Requirements for resuscitation devices with a barrier function are listed. Although both approaches will reduce the fear of infection, we advice a rational approach.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Resuscitation skills of lay public after recent training.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ability of laypeople to apply basic CPR techniques after recent training. DESIGN: Cross-sectional assessment of practical CPR skills. TYPE OF PARTICIPANTS: 151 laypeople who were trained twice in the preceding 20 to 24 months. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Practical skills were tested using six primary recorded variables that describe the quality of CPR techniques in a training situation. A total score on the skills of each participant was computed on the basis of a predefined scoring system. Thirty-three percent of the participants were able to perform adequate CPR. The compression:relaxation ratio, the breathing volume, and the breathing interval were points of concern. CONCLUSION: Practical skills in basic CPR after a 12-month training interval, though better in this study than in many previous studies, are insufficient in the majority of laypeople. The results of this study could be used to design a better tailored (re)instruction program, with an emphasis on regular, frequent refresher courses.

Adolescent↗

Variation in the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

During instruction in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills, cardiac massage and mouth-to-mouth ventilation are applied without interruption for no longer than a few minutes. The aim of this study was to see if the quality of technique during the first 2 min of CPR reflects the resuscitators ability to perform CPR over a 15 min period. Assessments were done with a resuscitation mannequin from which recordings of several variables were made at 2, 5, 10, and 15 min after the start of CPR. 60 lay volunteers who had received CPR training were studied, and six variables that describe the quality of CPR technique were recorded and scored with a predefined scoring system. No deterioration in CPR skills was seen during 15 min. We conclude that the initial 2 min assessment reflects the resuscitators ability to perform CPR over a longer period.

Adult↗

A scoring system for basic cardiac life support skills in training situations.

A valid and reproducible system for determining basic cardiac life support (BCLS) skills can help to evaluate the effect of instruction courses and to estimate the results of educational activities. The aim of this study was to develop and test such a system in accordance with the Standards and Guidelines of the American Heart Association (AHA). Five criteria were defined in advance towards such a system (1) Inadequate techniques must be reflected by a fail score. (2) Skilled persons should achieve a pass score. (3) The effect of training must be reflected by an improvement of the score. (4) Inter- and intra-observer variability must be negligible. (5) The system should be simple to apply. The system was developed, and in order to test the system, the BCLS skills of 40 ambulance nurses were tested once and those of 148 lay people twice. All cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) attempts were performed on a mannequin. The relevant parameters of the attempt were continuously recorded and printed. Penalty points were assigned in a predefined way for aberrations of the techniques advised in the Standards and Guidelines. The system satisfied the five criteria mentioned above. It therefore offers a reliable and reproducible evaluation of BCLS skills.

Allied Health Personnel↗

A comparison of resuscitation skills of qualified general nurses and ambulance nurses in The Netherlands.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ability of qualified general nurses to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation and to compare these skills with those of a group of ambulance nurses. DESIGN: Cross-sectional assessment of practical cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills. SUBJECTS: 141 Dutch general nurses. OUTCOME MEASURES: The practical skills were tested with six primary variables that describe the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques in a training situation. A total score on the skills was computed based on a predefined scoring system. RESULTS: The percentage of general nurses who were able to achieve a pass score (i.e., the total score did not exceed 15 penalty points) was 6.4 percent. The average score was 37.8 penalty points. Eighty-eight percent of the ambulance nurses achieved a pass score. The average number of penalty points was 10.5. CONCLUSIONS: The practical skills in cardiopulmonary resuscitation are insufficient in the majority of this sample of general nurses in The Netherlands. The findings of this study should be used as a base to design an optimal form and content of an educational re-instruction program. We expect that a considerable improvement could be achieved by more frequent cardiopulmonary resuscitation re-instruction.

Adult↗