Effectiveness of a Short Refresher Course on the Retention of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation-Related Psychomotor Skills (REF-CPR)

Abstract

Objectives: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills deteriorate within 6–12 months of formal basic life support (BLS) training. The impact of refresher BLS training timing and format on the retention of CPR-related psychomotor skills is still under investigation. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of BLS refresher training on the retention of CPR psychomotor skills. Methods: This prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted between February 2018 to August 2020 at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman. Healthcare workers with prior CPR training were enrolled. Baseline CPR-related knowledge and skills were assessed; subsequently, all participants received CPR training until they achieved 100% performance. At six months, a preassessment test was conducted, after which the intervention group received refresher training while the control group did not. At 12 months, both groups underwent assessment. Little Anne® QCPR manikins (Laerdal Corp., Stavanger, Norway) were used to assess CPR performance at each stage. Results: A total of 38 personnel participated in the trial, comprising 19 in each arm. Overall, there were equal numbers of males and females; 21 participants (55.3%) were nurses, 15 (39.5%) were physicians, and two (5.3%) were paramedics. All participants demonstrated good baseline CPR knowledge. Within the intervention and control groups, CPR performance was 72.7% and 75.8% (p =0.638) at baseline, 87.2% and 88.5% (p =0.682) at six months, and 93.8% and 79.4% (p =0.010) at 12 months, perspectively. Conclusions: Refresher CPR training six months after initial training was found to promote skills retention at 12 months.

Keywords

• prospective studies
• heart arrest
• cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• oman