Efficacy of a Self-learning Station for Basic Life Support Refresher Training in a Hospital: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Adult basic life support refresher training using voice feedback manikins has been shown to be feasible, but the superiority of this strategy over instructor-led (IL) refresher training for nurses in a hospital has not been studied in randomized trials.

Objectives: To study if adult basic life support refresher training for nurses in a self-learning (SL) station using a voice feedback manikin is more effective than IL training.

Methods: A Resusci Anne Skills Station (Laerdal, Norway) was installed in a small room. A total of 235 nurses were randomized to SL or IL training. After 1 month and after 7 months, the proportions of nurses achieving a mean compression depth of 38-51 mm, a mean compression rate of 80-120/min, incomplete release of at least 5 mm and a mean ventilation volume of 400-1000 ml were compared between the SL and IL groups.

Results: After 1 month, the proportion of nurses with any incomplete release of at least 5 mm was significantly lower in the SL group (23 of 54 nurses, 43%) compared with the IL group (33 of 47 nurses, 70%) (P=0.005). After 7 months, a lower proportion of nurses achieved a depth of 38-51 mm in the SL group (13 of 45 nurses, 29%) compared with the IL group (25 of 45 nurses, 56%) (P=0.01). For the other outcome parameters, no differences between SL and IL training could be demonstrated.

Conclusions: This randomized trial in a real-life setting showed that more nurses achieved adequate compression depth, 7 months after IL refresher training compared with training in a SL station. Further research is needed to improve the efficacy of this SL training strategy.