Effectiveness of simplified 15-min refresher BLS training program: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of 15-min refresher basic life support (BLS) training following 45-min chest compression-only BLS training. Methods After the 45-min chest compression-only BLS training, the participants were randomly assigned to either the refresher BLS training group, which received a 15-min refresher training 6 months after the initial training (refresher training group), or to the control group, which did not receive refresher training. Participants’ resuscitation skills were evaluated by a 2-min case-based scenario test 1 year after the initial training. The primary outcome measure was the number of appropriate chest compressions during a 2-min test period. Results 140 participants were enrolled and 112 of them completed this study. The number of appropriate chest compressions performed during the 2-min test period was significantly greater in the refresher training group (68.9 ± 72.3) than in the control group (36.3 ± 50.8, p  = 0.009). Time without chest compressions was significantly shorter in the refresher training group (16.1 ± 2.1 s versus 26.9 ± 3.7 s, p p  = 0.172) and AED use between the groups. Conclusions A short-time refresher BLS training program 6 months after the initial training can help trainees retain chest compression skills for up to 1 year. Repeated BLS training, even if very short, would be adopted to keep acquired CPR quality optimal (UMIN-CTR UMIN 000004101).