A randomised control trial to determine if use of the iResus©application on a smart phone improves the performance of an advanced life support provider in a simulated medical emergency *

This study sought to determine whether using the Resuscitation Council UK’s iResus© application on a smart phone improves the performance of doctors trained in advanced life support in a simulated emergency. Thirty‐one doctors (advanced life support‐trained within the previous 48 months) were recruited. All received identical training using the smart phone and the iResus application. The participants were randomly assigned to a control group (no smart phone) and a test group (access to iResus on smart phone). Both groups were tested using a validated extended cardiac arrest simulation test (CASTest) scoring system. The primary outcome measure was the overall cardiac arrest simulation test score; these were significantly higher in the smart phone group (median (IQR [range]) 84.5 (75.5–92.5 [64–96])) compared with the control group (72 (62–87 [52–95]); p = 0.02). Use of the iResus application significantly improves the performance of an advanced life support‐certified doctor during a simulated medical emergency. Further studies are needed to determine if iResus can improve care in the clinical setting.

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