Pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) differs from adult CPR because of anatomical and physiological differences in children. Feedback devices improve rescuer performance by monitoring compression depth and rate during CPR. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of pediatric CPR using feedback devices. In this pilot study conducted in November 2004 at Hacettepe University Pediatric Emergency Department with 18 resident physicians, participants first performed CPR without the feedback device and then with the device. Compression depth, rate and compliance were measured and analysed. Eighteen residents participated in the study. The mean age of the participants was 27.2 years, 60% were female and 40% were male. The target compression rate was 15.8±%4.8 without the feedback device, whereas it increased to 76.8±%5.6 with the device (p=0.001). The compression depth was 6.2±0.5 cm without the device and 4.6±0.4 cm with the device (p=0.001). There was no significant difference in compression rate between the two groups (p=0.068). This study shows that feedback devices improve the performance of pediatric CPR. However, the effect of the devices on compression rate is limited. Incorporation of feedback devices into the training process may improve the technical skills of rescuers.

Keywords: cardiopulmonary resuscitation, simulation, pediatric, cardiac arrest, education