Posted on 12/11/2009

Survey
Results Show Gaps in Perception Versus Reality of CPR Performance by Healthcare
Professionals

Results
of the first-ever, multi-national attitudinal survey concerning the performance
of CPR by healthcare professionals were recently presented concurrently with
the American
Heart Association's
annual meeting in Orlando, Florida. This
quantitative survey, conducted by Ipsos, a leading global survey-based market
research company, and the CPR Improvement Working Group, formed to help improve
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skill performance, provides a broad
analysis of how CPR is performed by healthcare professionals on a
multi-national basis.

CPR is
one of the most basic life-saving tools employed by healthcare professionals.
However, survey results reveal there is a discrepancy between perception and
reality when it comes to CPR knowledge and skill level. Highlights of the
survey include:

Perceived Skill Unaligned with
Reality
—75 percent
of healthcare professionals perceive their level of skill at performing CPR as
being quite high. However, only 26 percent stated perceived performance of
rate, depth and ratio in compliance with the AHA/ILCOR 2005 CPR guidelines.

Healthcare Professionals Unaware
that CPR is Poor—
Numerous
studies report that CPR performance by healthcare professionals is considered
poor, yet the survey results show that very few healthcare professionals are
aware of this—55 percent of healthcare professionals surveyed believe that
studies report CPR quality is good, very good or excellent.

CPR Technology is Underutilized—76 percent of healthcare
professionals agree that CPR technology can help improve CPR quality and 65
percent agree CPR technology should be used. However, only 36 percent currently
use any type of CPR assistance and only 15 percent use CPR assistance with
instantaneous feedback, despite the fact studies show CPR technology can
improve CPR performance. 

Need for Increased CPR Training—93 percent of healthcare
professionals believe training is extremely valuable. However, less than half
report that their organization provides training beyond requirements.

Tested
at a 95 percent confidence level with a margin of error of +/- 3 percent, the
survey consisted of more than 1,000 respondents, including 454 healthcare
professionals in the U.S. and 569 from the UK, France and Germany. Survey
respondents included doctors, nurses and paramedics.

During a
panel discussion held concurrently with AHA, leading resuscitation experts and
CPR Working Group Expert Council Members Dana Edelson, M.D., The University of
Chicago Hospital, Vinay Nadkarni, M.D., University of Pennsylvania Hospital and
Robert O’Connor, M.D., University of Virginia Medical Center, discussed the
survey findings, as well as what needs to be done to improve the quality of CPR
in the hospital and ensure increased survival rates following cardiac arrest.

According
to Dr. O’Connor, “The survey results help increase understanding of the
attitudes of healthcare professionals on CPR and the impact of those attitudes
on CPR performance. Given that CPR is frequently performed by healthcare
professionals, gaining this insight is critical to improving skill performance
and ultimately, to saving lives.” 

When CPR
is performed correctly it has the greatest potential to save a life. However,
according to numerous studies, including those published in Circulation, Journal
of the American Medical Association and Resuscitation, CPR performed both
outside and in the hospital setting often does not meet or adhere to standard
guidelines. “CPR is a complex, time-sensitive procedure with high stakes where
the quality directly impacts patient outcomes,” comments Dr. Edelson. “This
insightful survey, coupled with existing clinical research, highlights the
major gap between perception and reality in CPR skill and performance of
healthcare professionals, stimulating a discussion about how CPR skill level
and performance can be improved.”

Numerous
studies show that increased training and the use of CPR assistance and feedback
devices can greatly improve CPR skill and performance. “With a number of
programs and initiatives already underway and AHA/ILCOR issuing revised CPR
guidelines in 2010, we have an opportunity as healthcare professionals to
improve the current state of CPR and potentially increase patient survival
outcomes,” said Dr. Nadkarni.

For more
details on the results of the survey, please visit www.ImproveCPR.com.

 

 

 

 

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