Summary
Teaching cardiopulmonary resuscitation with simulators. A cost-effectiveness study
Iglesias Vázquez JA, Penas Penas M, Rodríguez Núñez A, Cegarra García M, Barreiro Díaz MV, Varela-Portas Mariño J
Affiliation of the authors
FUNDACIÓN PÚBLICA URXENCIAS SANITÁRIAS DE GALICIA-061. COMPLEJO HOSPITALARIO UNIVERSITARIO DE SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA.
DOI
Quote
Iglesias Vázquez JA, Penas Penas M, Rodríguez Núñez A, Cegarra García M, Barreiro Díaz MV, Varela-Portas Mariño J. Teaching cardiopulmonary resuscitation with simulators. A cost-effectiveness study. Emergencias. 2007;19:312-8
Summary
Aims: The aim of the study was to assess if the number of students
who pass an advanced life support course is higher using
a simulator for resuscitation training compared with usual resuscitation
training.
Methods: The students were randomized for practical classes and evaluations
in two groups of 250 members: the first group was allocated to
use a last-generation resuscitation simulator and the other to use standard
manikins. At the same time, 125 students in each group received
a handbook to be revised before the course. The courses were delivered
during the years 2003 and 2004 in the four provinces of Galicia.
Results: The rate of students who passed the course was different
using simulator training or normal training (88% versus 78%; p < 0.001). The training cost per-student was three times higher with the resuscitation simulator. Thus, the costs of passing the course were 457.23 and 481.77€€ for normal training with and without previous preparation, respectively, versus 1283.11 and 1483.11€€ for resuscitation simulator with and without previous preparation, respectively. The rate of students who passed the course additional from 76% to 90% with previous preparation (p < 0.001) and the costs were low. Moreover, this increase was more marked in students who made the course with simulator (from 80% to 96%, p < 0.001) compared with those who used classic manikins (from 72% to 84%; p < 0.05). Conclusions: The most cost-effective strategy for resuscitation training in primary care physicians and nurses is usual training with previous preparation. We must look for mechanisms to reduce the costs derived from using resuscitation simulators. Independently of the kind of training, the students must always undergo previous preparation.