Factors influencing healthcare professionals’ retention of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation skills

Introduction The aim of this literature review is to examine and present a synthesis of the existing literature on factors influencing health care professionals’ retention of CPR skills. Cardiac arrest is the abrupt loss of heart function and is caused when the heart’s electrical system malfunctions. Death occurs within minutes after the heart stops (Ornato & Becker, 2010). Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a simple, easily learned emergency procedure used when someone’s breathing and heartbeat stop suddenly. Thankfully cardiac arrest can be reversed if prompt, effective CPR is initiated as it improves patient survival and outcomes Wallace et al (2013). The American Heart Association (AHA) 2010 guidelines emphasise the importance of effective chest compressions during resuscitation. Ineffective chest compressions are an identified contributing factor to poor outcomes of cardiac arrest patients. Evidence from the literature suggests that quality of in-hospital CPR is Abstract Background: Approximately 10,000 people die from cardiovascular disease every year in Ireland and it is estimated that 5,000 of these deaths are from sudden cardiac arrests. Chest compressions are poorly performed by healthcare professionals and have a direct link to patient survival (Bury et al., 2009). Objective: The aim of this literature review is to examine and present a synthesis of the existing literature on factors influencing health care professionals’ retention of CPR skills. Methods: An extensive search of the literature was undertaken using the electronic databases with a view to finding pertinent full text articles in English. Some of the following terms were used: “basic life support”, “cardiopulmonary resuscitation” and “clinical competence”. Results: A total of seventeen primary research articles were included in the review. Following a critical analysis of each article, three dominant themes emerged. Conclusion: The review revealed that there is a difference in relation to CPR skills based on type of training received. The current recommendation of a two year interval appears to be very elongated as health care professionals’ are unable to retain the knowledge of the skill within this timeframe. The literature also suggests that seniority, current knowledge and opportunity to practice have a negative impact on health care professionals’ attitudes towards CPR training. Recommendations: The reviewer suggests that healthcare professionals’ need to have shorter intervals between CPR training in an attempt to enhance the retention of CPR knowledge and skill in order to place them in a better position when performing CPR at a cardiac arrest. The reviewer also recommends a replication study in relation to time interval in an Irish setting with registered nurses.