earticle

영어

Purpose: This study aimed to assess defibrillator pad positioning by the general public and healthcare providers during basic life support (BLS) renewal education (RE). Methods: A total 130 subjects performed defibrillation using an automated external defibrillator (AED) equipped with electrode pads developed by the researchers and male resuscitation manikins, in order to assess electrode pad placement (EPP) before BLS RE. Subjects included 54 Healthcare providers (HP) and 76 members of the general public (GP). Results: The apex EPP was positioned in the risk area (RA), more than 5 cm distant from the area recommended, by 63.2% of the GP (n = 48). The apex EPP was positioned in the RA by 44.4% of the HP (n = 23). The distance from the apex (GP 5.27±2.21 cm, HP 4.18±1.71 cm) was statistically significant, using Student’s t-test. Conclusion: For both GP and HP, apex EPP was significantly in error. Thus, to prevent defibrillation failures, EPP education and practice for GP and HP in all BLS education programs should be improved, and incorrect Korean cardiopulmonary resuscitation guidelines and related literature should be revised and corrected.