Self-instructional CPR training for parents of high risk infants

Objective: Premature infants (PRE) and infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at high risk for respiratory or cardiac arrest in their first year. Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a major predictor of resuscitation outcome. The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of a self-instructional DVD kit (Infant CPRAnytime™) for families of high-risk infants. We hypothesized that comfort level of performing CPR would increase, parents would share the kit with others, and review it during the year. Methods: Parents of PRE (<35 weeks or <2500. g) or CHD infants received a self-instructional CPR kit. One parent completed a questionnaire, reviewed the DVD, and practiced CPR before discharge. They were asked to share the kit with other care providers, practice CPR every 3 months, and complete questionnaires at 4 and 12 months. Results: We enrolled 311 subjects: 238 PRE and 73 CHD. Comfort level performing CPR increased from 2.8 at baseline to 3.5 at 12 months (p= 0.023). The kit was shared with 3.1 additional persons and reviewed by the parent 1.8 times over 12 months. Eight emergency rescue events were reported: choking (3) and CPR (5). All events requiring CPR were in infants with CHD. Six infants survived with reported good or stable neurologic status. Conclusions: Self-instructional tools provide an excellent method of CPR training for parents of high risk infants. Caregiver comfort increased over 12 months and parents continued to review the kit during the first year. An additional 3.1 persons used the kit for CPR training.