Developing competency of nursing students in cardiopulmonary resuscitation using Resuscitation Quality Improvement technology

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined the outcomes of training nursing students in CPR skills using the Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI) program.

Methods: Nursing students (n=2,193) in 12 schools across the United States participated in this study. Students performed compressions and bag-masked ventilation on adult and infant manikins using the RQI simulation station without and then with feedback on their performance.

Results: With real-time, objective feedback from the RQI simulation station, students' performance of CPR skills improved, and they retained their skills over time.

Conclusions: The RQI program and methodology of feedback is effective for training nursing students to be competent in CPR skills, essential for safe patient care. Nursing and other healthcare professions programs should consider adopting the RQI program for students to develop competency in CPR.

Keywords: cardiopulmonary resuscitation; deliberate practice; low-dose high-frequency model; real-time feedback; simulation station.