The University of Southampton
University of Southampton Institutional Repository

Is optimal paddle force applied during paediatric external defibrillation?

Is optimal paddle force applied during paediatric external defibrillation?
Is optimal paddle force applied during paediatric external defibrillation?
Introduction: Optimal paddle force minimises transthoracic impedance; a factor associated with increased defibrillation success. Optimal force for the defibrillation of children ?10 kg using paediatric paddles has previously been shown to be 2.9 kgf, and for children >10 kg using adult paddles is 5.1 kgf. We compared defibrillation paddle force applied during simulated paediatric defibrillation with these optimal values. Methods: 72 medical and nursing staff who would be expected to perform paediatric defibrillation were recruited from a University teaching hospital. Participants, blinded to the nature of the study, were asked to simulate defibrillation of an infant manikin (9 months of age) and a child manikin (6 years of age) using paediatric or adult paddles, respectively, according to guidelines. Paddle force (kgf) was measured at the time of simulated shock and compared with known optimal values. Results: Median paddle force applied to the infant manikin was 2.8 kgf (max 9.6, min 0.6), with only 47% operators attaining optimal force. Median paddle force applied to the child manikin was 3.8 kgf (max 10.2, min 1.0), with only 24% of operators attaining optimal force. Conclusion: Defibrillation paddle force applied during paediatric defibrillation often falls below optimal values.
0300-9572
29-32
Bennetts, Sarah H.
415c3291-32df-44e2-acbc-b6ca64240eb7
Deakin, Charles D.
560d993b-bbc9-4548-9990-272ed18a011d
Petley, Graham W.
4f2da40b-3c7b-4adc-b75c-e24e62bb1cf0
Clewlow, Frank
94c8568b-d5ea-4446-a712-4fa1560895c2
Bennetts, Sarah H.
415c3291-32df-44e2-acbc-b6ca64240eb7
Deakin, Charles D.
560d993b-bbc9-4548-9990-272ed18a011d
Petley, Graham W.
4f2da40b-3c7b-4adc-b75c-e24e62bb1cf0
Clewlow, Frank
94c8568b-d5ea-4446-a712-4fa1560895c2

Bennetts, Sarah H., Deakin, Charles D., Petley, Graham W. and Clewlow, Frank (2004) Is optimal paddle force applied during paediatric external defibrillation? Resuscitation, 60 (1), 29-32. (doi:10.1016/j.resuscitation.2003.09.001). (PMID:14987780)

Record type: Article

Abstract

Introduction: Optimal paddle force minimises transthoracic impedance; a factor associated with increased defibrillation success. Optimal force for the defibrillation of children ?10 kg using paediatric paddles has previously been shown to be 2.9 kgf, and for children >10 kg using adult paddles is 5.1 kgf. We compared defibrillation paddle force applied during simulated paediatric defibrillation with these optimal values. Methods: 72 medical and nursing staff who would be expected to perform paediatric defibrillation were recruited from a University teaching hospital. Participants, blinded to the nature of the study, were asked to simulate defibrillation of an infant manikin (9 months of age) and a child manikin (6 years of age) using paediatric or adult paddles, respectively, according to guidelines. Paddle force (kgf) was measured at the time of simulated shock and compared with known optimal values. Results: Median paddle force applied to the infant manikin was 2.8 kgf (max 9.6, min 0.6), with only 47% operators attaining optimal force. Median paddle force applied to the child manikin was 3.8 kgf (max 10.2, min 1.0), with only 24% of operators attaining optimal force. Conclusion: Defibrillation paddle force applied during paediatric defibrillation often falls below optimal values.

This record has no associated files available for download.

More information

Published date: January 2004
Organisations: Clinical & Experimental Sciences

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 383372
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/383372
ISSN: 0300-9572
PURE UUID: c00b9e84-276e-4f92-a933-32362f18d756
ORCID for Graham W. Petley: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-3295-0444

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 25 Jan 2016 15:12
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 02:53

Export record

Altmetrics

Contributors

Author: Sarah H. Bennetts
Author: Frank Clewlow

Download statistics

Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.

View more statistics

Atom RSS 1.0 RSS 2.0

Contact ePrints Soton: eprints@soton.ac.uk

ePrints Soton supports OAI 2.0 with a base URL of http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/cgi/oai2

This repository has been built using EPrints software, developed at the University of Southampton, but available to everyone to use.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive cookies on the University of Southampton website.

×