The utility of the HeartSaver Sticker for maintaining correct hand position during chest compressions

Background: The importance of attaining correct hand position in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instruction has not been emphasized as much as the significance of the compression performance.

Study objectives: This pilot study was performed to investigate the utility of a HeartSaver Sticker for maintaining correct hand position during chest compressions.

Methods: Fifty-one sophomore college students, training to become emergency medical technicians, were recruited. The students, having no previous experience using HeartSaver stickers, participated in this prospective, randomized simulation-based controlled study, which consisted of two groups: 1) with sticker (n=26), 2) without sticker (n=25). The 4×4-cm HeartSaver sticker marked with both vertical and horizontal center lines was used in this study. Proper sticker placement was such that the vertical line coincided with the mid-sternum of the chest, and the horizontal line aligned with the nipples. Participants performed adult basic life support by single rescuer according to the 2005 American Heart Association resuscitation guidelines. Skill assessment was also performed by these guidelines.

Results: Group 1 participants placed the HeartSaver sticker on the correct landmark within 10 s of approaching the model. The compression rate and depth were not significantly different between the two groups. However, significant improvement in correct hand position was noticed when using the HeartSaver sticker. Correct hand position was 97.1% ± 7.4% in group 1 and 85.9% ± 21.5% in group 2 (p=0.002).

Conclusion: The HeartSaver sticker was useful in maintaining correct hand position during the single-rescuer CPR scenario because it provided easy recognition of that position when compressing after ventilations.