The impact of a smartphone-based cognitive aid on clinical performance during cardiac arrest simulations: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: In-hospital cardiac arrests are common and associated with high mortality. Smartphone applications offer quick access to algorithms and timers but often lack real-time guidance. This study assesses the impact of the Code Blue Leader application on the performance of providers leading cardiac arrest simulations.

METHODS: This open-label randomized controlled trial included Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)-trained medical doctors (MD) and registered nurses (RN). Participants were randomized to lead the same ACLS simulation with or without the app. The primary outcome, "performance score," was assessed by a trained rater using a validated ACLS scoring system. Secondary outcomes included percentage of critical actions performed, number of incorrect actions, and chest compression fraction (percentage of time spent performing chest compressions). A sample size of 30 participants was calculated to detect a difference of 20% at the 0.05 alpha level with 90% power.

RESULTS: Fifteen MDs and 15 RNs underwent stratified randomization. The median (interquartile range) performance score in the app group was 95.3% (93.0%-100.0%) compared to 81.4% (60.5%-88.4%) in the control group, demonstrating an effect size of r  = 0.69 ( Z  = -3.78, r  = 0.69, p  = 0.0002). The percentage of critical actions performed in the app group was 100% (96.2%-100.0%) compared to 85.0% (74.1%-92.4%) in the control group. The number of incorrect actions performed in the app group was 1 (1) compared to 4 (3-5) in the control group. Chest compression fraction in the app group was 75.5% (73.0%-84.0%) compared to 75.0% (72.0%-85.0%) in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS: The Code Blue Leader smartphone app significantly improved the performance of ACLS-trained providers in cardiac arrest simulations.