Incremental improvement in chest compression performance following brief BLS training after dispatcher-assisted CPR exposure

Dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), including video-assisted (V-CPR) and telephone-assisted CPR (T-CPR), can improve bystander performance, but CPR quality often remains suboptimal. This study evaluated whether a brief basic life support (BLS) training intervention improves CPR performance among individuals previously exposed to dispatcher-assisted CPR simulation. This quasi-experimental follow-up study included participants from a prior randomized dispatcher-assisted CPR (DA-CPR) simulation trial. Forty participants (20 pairs) completed an original DA-CPR assessment during the previous trial and a post-training repeat DA-CPR assessment approximately six months later, following a brief BLS training intervention. CPR performance was assessed using a manikin and SkillReporter™ software. Primary outcomes were chest compression quality metrics (depth, rate, recoil, high-quality CPR, and compression fraction). Secondary outcomes included time to CPR initiation and confidence. CPR performance improved significantly after training. The median pair-level mean compression depth increased from 3.6 to 5.1 cm ( p < 0.001), and correct-depth compressions increased from 1% to 67% ( p < 0.001). Fully recoiled compressions improved from 85% to 95% ( p = 0.007). High-quality CPR increased markedly (median 2 to 507 compressions, p < 0.001), and high-quality chest compression fraction improved from 0% to 57% ( p = 0.001). Time to CPR initiation decreased from 100 to 74 seconds ( p < 0.001), and confidence increased significantly from 4/10 to 8/10 ( p < 0.001). Hand position accuracy and correct compression rate showed no significant change. Among individuals previously exposed to DA-CPR simulation, a brief hands-on BLS training session was associated with significant improvements in CPR quality metrics and confidence compared with participants’ own original DA-CPR assessment. These findings support the potential educational value of brief hands-on CPR training as a complement to dispatcher-assisted CPR programs.