The impact of real-time chest compression feedback increases with application of the 2015 guidelines

Cardiac arrest survival depends upon chest compression quality. Real-time audiovisual feedback may improve compression guideline adherence, particularly with the more specific 2015 guidelines.

Subjects included healthcare providers from multiple U.S. hospitals. Compression rate and depth were recorded using standard manikins and real-time audiovisual feedback defibrillators (ZOLL R Series). Subjects were enrolled before (n = 756) and after (n = 995) release of the 2015 guidelines, which define narrower compression targets. Subjects performed 2 min of continuous compressions before and after activation of feedback. The percentage of compressions meeting appropriate rate/depth targets was determined before and after release of the 2015 guidelines.

An increase in compression guideline adherence was observed with use of feedback before [68.7% to 96.3%, p < .001] and after [16.6% to 94.1%, p < .001] release of the 2015 guidelines. The proportion of subjects requiring feedback to achieve adherence was higher for the 2015 guidelines [28.6% vs. 78.5%, OR 9.12, 95% CI 7.33-11.35, p < .001].

The use of real-time audiovisual feedback increases adherence to chest compression guidelines, particularly with application of the narrower 2015 guidelines targets for compression depth and rate.