Utilization of a pressure-sensing monitor to improve in-flight chest compressions

Previous research at the Division of Air Medical Services at East Carolina University School of Medicine has demonstrated impairment of chest compression efficacy in the setting of an airborne BO-105 helicopter. This study was undertaken to determine whether in-flight compression efficacy could be improved with utilization of a pressure-sensing monitor providing real-time feedback during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Ten flight nurses each performed two minutes of in-flight chest compressions on a mannequin that electronically assessed compression depth and hand placement. The session was then repeated using the pressure-sensing device. The mean proportion of correct compressions (95.7 ± 3.2%) achieved with utilization of the pressure-sensing monitor was significantly higher (P< .01) than the corresponding proportion for the control group (33.4 ± 12.1%). This study demonstrated that the difficulties of performing effective in-flight chest compressions are largely overcome with utilization of a pressure-sensing device providing real-time feedback on compression efficacy.