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Emerg Med J 2008;25:597-600 doi:10.1136/emj.2008.058503
  • Prehospital care

Performance of cellular phones with video telephony in the use of automated external defibrillators by untrained laypersons

  1. J S You1,
  2. S Park1,
  3. S P Chung2,
  4. J W Park3
  1. 1
    Ulsan Fire Department Headquarters, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
  2. 2
    Department of Emergency Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
  3. 3
    Department of Emergency Medicine, Kosin University, College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
  1. Dr J W Park, Department of Emergency Medicine, Kosin University Gospel Hospital, Amnam-dong, Seo-gu, Busan, 602-703, Republic of Korea; erman{at}naver.com
  • Accepted 25 February 2008

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the hypothesis that using an automated external defibrillator (AED) with video telephony-directed cellular phone instructions for untrained laypersons would increase the probability of successful performance of AEDs. Real-time communication with visual images can provide critical information and appropriate instructions to both laypersons and dispatchers.

Methods: A prospective observational study was undertaken. 52 public officers with no previous experience in the use of a defibrillator were presented with a scenario in which they were asked to use an AED on a manikin according to the instructions given to them by cellular phones with video telephony. The proportion who successfully delivered a shock and the time interval from cardiac arrest to delivery of the shock were recorded.

Results: Placement of the electrode pads was performed correctly by all 52 participants and 51 (98%) delivered an accurate shock. The mean (SD) time to correct shock delivery was 131.8 (20.6) s (range 101–202).

Conclusion: Correct pad placement and shock delivery can be performed using an AED when instructions are provided via video telephone because a dispatcher can monitor every step and provide correct information.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests: None.

  • Ethics approval: Informed consent was obtained from the participants before the test and the study was approved by the local research ethics committee.

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