The simulation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the knowledge of rescuers

A quasi-experimental study

Abstract

Objective: to compare the knowledge of rescuers before and after training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation with the realistic simulation method. Method: this is a quasi-experimental study carried out with 41 Basic Life Support rescuers covering 8 bases of the 18th Regional Health of Paraná. The rescuers responded to the Instrument for Assessment of Training in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation applied before and after the realistic simulation. Results: there was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.02) in 6 of the 10 questions, which addressed: the sequence of cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuvers; the electrical charge of the automatic external defibrillator; the position, depth, and speed of chest compressions; the compression/ventilation ratio; and the handling of the automatic external defibrillator. In the other two questions — recognition of cardiorespiratory arrest and positive pressure ventilation device — there was no change in the answer alternative. There were 60% of correct answers for the questions when assessing prior knowledge and 90% of correct answers after the phases of the realistic simulation. Conclusion: rescuers did not fully complete the pre-test questionnaire; however, after the realistic simulation strategy, there was a significant increase in this knowledge. These results showed an improvement in the cognitive knowledge of rescuers after the simulation, which was confirmed by the increase in knowledge expressed in the post-test. This methodology can also be successfully applied to this professional category.