Single Rescuer Ventilation Using a Bag Valve Mask with Removable External Handle: A Randomized Crossover Trial

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Respiratory Care
• Medical Device Innovation

Background:

• Bag valve mask (BVM) ventilation is crucial for prehospital airway management.
• Single-rescuer BVM use presents challenges in achieving adequate tidal volumes.
• Modifications to BVM devices are explored to improve ventilation efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate if a modified BVM with an external handle increases tidal volumes during single-rescuer ventilation.
• To compare ventilation outcomes between a modified and standard BVM in a manikin model.
• To assess healthcare provider preference for the modified BVM.

Main Methods:

• Randomized crossover trial involving 70 healthcare providers.
• Participants performed single-rescuer ventilation on a manikin using both standard and modified BVMs.
• Mean received tidal volume was measured; device preference was recorded.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in mean tidal volume was found between the modified (20 ml increase, P=.28) and standard BVMs.
• Ventilation order did not impact tidal volume outcomes.
• 47.1% of participants preferred the modified BVM.

Conclusions:

• The modified BVM with an external handle did not enhance mean tidal volume delivery in this manikin study.
• The modified BVM did not demonstrate a significant advantage over the standard BVM for tidal volume delivery.
• Further research may be needed to explore other BVM modifications or ventilation techniques.