Time accuracy of a barcode system for recording resuscitation events: laboratory trials.

Abstract

Barcode systems for recording clinical data from resuscitation attempts offer the prospect of more complete and time-accurate data collection; in addition, collection of data in digital form and the resulting ease of computer processing promises to facilitate data analysis for quality improvement and research. We conducted trials of such a barcode system, recording events during a videotaped, simulated in-hospital resuscitation, with particular attention to time accuracy. Nine subjects watched a videotape of a simulated cardiac resuscitation, recording events first with the barcode system and then with a conventional handwritten form. Recorded times were compared to an accurate record of events (gold standard) from the videotape. Mean absolute errors and standard deviations of errors from the gold standard were significantly smaller with the barcode system (P < 0.01 for both). Numbers of event omissions did not differ significantly. The barcode system is more accurate than conventional handwritten recording in capturing event times from a simulated resuscitation. The system shows promise as a means to improve time accuracy of resuscitation records.