Paddle-skin Coupling Material Usage in Emergency Institutes in South Korea

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: While the use of coupling material (CM) during defibrillation is known to decrease transthoracic impedance more so than other materials elsewhere, the situation in Korea is unclear. The study assessed the use of paddleskin CM during defibrillation in South Korean emergency institutes (EIs) and measured the impedances. METHODS: From October 15 to October 19, 2009, 112 EIs (all of regional emergency medical centers (EMCs), specialized care centers, and local EMCs) were surveyed. Institute members were queried about their current use of paddleskin CMs during defibrillation. Indications for use were studied by means of a World Wide Web search, descriptions on the CM packaging, and telephone conversations with CM manufacturers and related people. Impedance measurements were recorded from April 13 to August 3, 2009. RESULTS: During defibrillation, 27 different CMs were used in the 108 EIs. Only nine institutes used CMs directly for defibrillation. Impedence of nine CMs could not be measured. The impedance values were 1.69, 1.71, 2.00, and 6.12 ohm for four CMs used for defibrillation; 6.66 and 11.94 ohm for two CMs used for electrodes; 9.71, 9.82, 11.57, 13.68, 13.89, 14.36, 18.31, and 19.66 ohm for eight CMs used for ultrasonography; and 14.05, 17.71, 35.44, and 41.15 ohm for four other CMs. CONCLUSION: More education and public information about the use of CMs for defibrillation are needed.