Retention of Hands Only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (HOCPR) Training Skills in First Year MBBS Students

High-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is the cornerstone for resuscitation of cardiac arrest and increase the incidence of return of spontaneous circulation We evaluated the retention of skills after training of Hands-Only Compression CPR (HOC-CPR) after a period of 3 and 6 months. The study was conducted on first year MBBS students and assisted by members who are trained in AHA BLS course. In the study 136 first year MBBS students were included. Mean age of the subjects was 19.22± 2.45. In our study, mean chest compression per minute increased to 99.74± 0.98 after training from 97.54±6.46 before training. Mean average compression quality increased to 94.88±7.8 after training from 73.1±25.01 before training. Mean depth increased to 95.29±12.8 after training, compared to 78.03±24.53 before training. Mean correct release increased to 92.48± 11.96 after training, compared to 59.82 ± 3.95 before training. There were significant difference in compression quality, compression time, correct release, correct rate, correct depth and mean depth in posttest 2 whereas there were significant difference only in compression quality, compression time, total compression and correct rate in posttest 3 with pretest. While comparing posttest 1 vs posttest 2 vs posttest 3, there were significant difference in compression quality, total compressions, correct depth and mean depth. Our findings indicate that CPR skills tend to decline if not practiced regularly. We recommended that BLS training which is an important life-saving skill to be included in the curriculum of first year medical students with refresher training biannually, along with other recommendations.