Detailed analysis of time-related variables and events in BLS/ALS mega code training of experienced paramedics training in either ERC 2000 or ERC 2005
| Variable | Group ERC 2000 mean±SD (CI 95%) | Median | Percentile 25% | Percentile 75% | Group ERC 2005 mean±SD (CI 95%) | Median | Percentile 25% | Percentile 75% | Comparison of groups p values |
| No of megacodes | 19 | – | – | – | 20 | – | – | – | – |
| No of HOI | 17±3 (15.4 to 18.5) | 16.0 | 15 | 20 | 18±3 (16.6 to 19.4) | 17.5 | 16 | 20 | ns |
| Mean duration of HOI | 17.5±10.8 (12.8 to 22.1) | 17.5 | 11 | 21 | 10.1±4.0 (8.3 to 11.8) | 9.0 | 8 | 11 | p<0.001 |
| Duration of first HOI until first chest compression | 60.4±33.1 (44.4 to 76.3) | 51.0 | 36 | 98 | 17.6±4.3 (15.5 to 19.6) | 17.5 | 14 | 21 | p<0.0001 |
| Overall HOT | 382±47 (359.5 to 403.7) | 374.0 | 359 | 417 | 196±33 (180.0 to 210.8) | 197.0 | 169 | 220 | p<0.0001 |
| Observed HOF | 0.45±0.05 | – | – | – | 0.23±0.04 | – | – | – | p<0.0001 |
| Ideal HOT | 259 | – | – | – | 151 | – | – | – | – |
| Ideal HOF | 0.31 | – | – | – | 0.18 | – | – | – | – |
| First ECG analysis completed | 58±13 (44.4 to 76.3) | 60.0 | 46 | 64 | 162±90 (15.5 to 19.6) | 137.0 | 122 | 147 | p<0.0001 |
| Duration of defibrillation | 43±5 (40.8 to 45.5) | 43.0 | 41 | 47 | 13±1 (12.0 to 13.1) | 13.0 | 12 | 13 | p<0.0001 |
| Intubation completed (airway secured) | 190±61 (160.9 to 220.0) | 167.0 | 147 | 249 | 293±77 (256.4 to 328.6) | 286.0 | 239 | 338 | p<0.0001 |
| HOI caused for airway management (intubation) | 54.7±24.6 (42.0 to 67.4) | 45.0 | 36 | 81 | 25.0±17.6 (15.6 to 32.6) | 25.0 | 7 | 41 | p=0.0001 |
| No of HOI for BMV | 6.1±2.6 (4.8 to 7.3) | 5.0 | 4 | 9 | 9.6±3.1 (8.1 to 11.1) | 10.0 | 7 | 12 | p<0.0001 |
| Mean duration of HOI for BMV | 5.4±0.8 (4.8 to 5.9) | 5.7 | 5 | 6 | 6.5±2.2 (5.9 to 7.1) | 6.8 | 6 | 7 | p<0.05 |
| No of VFI | 15±5 (4.8 to 7.3) | 14.0 | 12 | 20 | 24±12 (8.1 to 11.1) | 23.5 | 13 | 35 | p<0.05 |
| Mean duration of VFI | 21±10 (17.0 to 25.3) | 20.0 | 12 | 29 | 24±7 (14.2 to 18.6) | 15.9 | 11 | 21 | p<0.05 |
All times are shown in seconds.
Values for distributions are in mean±SD with upper and lower 95% CI or mean with 25th/75th percentile.
p Values indicate differences between both study groups. ns, not significant, Wilcoxon Mann–Whitney U-test.
Hands-off fraction (HOF) was defined as the ratio of mean hands-off time (HOT) and total experimental observation time until pulse was arbitrarily set to be palpable at 845 s.
The ideal HOT/hands-off interval (HOI) were defined as the calculated best value for protocol derived sequence of events applying the respective ERC 2000 and 2005 guidelines.
Ideal HOF was calculated as ratio of ideal HOT and 845 s, that is time until pulse was palpable. These variables were shown for better understanding and comparison with observed values.
ALS, advanced life support; BLS, basic life support; BMV, bag/mask ventilation; ERC, European Resuscitation Council; VFI, ventilation free intervals.