Background/Objectives: Optimization of the frequency and depth of chest compressions is considered essential for effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation in patients with cardiac arrest. Structured debriefing performed after actual or simulated cardiac arrest may help resuscitators maintain chest compression parameters within guideline-recommended ranges. The objective of the present study was to analyze whether Plus/Delta structured debriefing after clinical simulation of cardiac arrest on the duration of chest compressions performed within guideline-recommended frequency and depth ranges. Methods: A quasi-experimental study without a control group was carried out with nursing students. Compression frequency and depth parameters were analyzed in two manikin-based tests separated by the performance of a Plus/Delta structured debriefing. Results: After the intervention, the frequency and depth of chest compressions showed a slight decrease, accompanied by a statistically significant increase in the duration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation within the ranges recommended by the guidelines, although with limited clinical relevance. Conclusions: In this simulated setting, Plus/Delta structured debriefing was associated with a modest increase in the duration during which chest compressions were maintained within guideline-recommended frequency and depth ranges. Given the absence of a control group, these findings should be interpreted as exploratory but suggest a potential educational value of structured reflective debriefing in CPR training.
García-Álvarez et al. (Tue,) studied this question.