Comparison of the quality of chest compressions using the JRC Resuscitation Guidelines 2015 recommended backboard and a standard backboard on a mannequin in bed

Abstract

Placing a backboard (BB) under the back of cardiac arrest patients in bed is widely considered to provide a firmer surface, reduce mattress compressibility, and maintain the optimal depth for chest compressions (CCs). This study compared the quality of CCs using the JRC Resuscitation Guidelines 2015 recommended BB (hereafter, “the large BB”) and the standard BB. This randomized crossover study included 30 participants (n = 60) who performed CCs for 2 minutes on a mannequin with a total weight of approximately 60 kg in a bed. CCs were performed twice, once with the large BB (500 × 860 × 13.6 mm) and once with the standard BB (430 × 560 × 10 mm). No differences were found in the correct position (p = 0.36), tempo (p = 0.71), or recoil (p = 0.96) of CCs between the large BB and standard BB. A difference was found only in the CC depth, with the large BB 2.0 mm deeper than the standard BB [51.2 (48.6 - 55.4) mm, 49.2 (44.2 - 51.3) mm, respectively; p = 0.01]. Therefore, we recommend the use of a large BB when performing CC on cardiac arrest patients in bed.