Aim Data from the past three years from defibrillators located at the Odense University Hospital (OUH) indicate below standard performance of CPR by service assistants external to the emergency department (ED). ED service assistants (EDs) are trained in CPR several times a year, however CPR is also delegated to external service assistants (non-EDs) who only participate in OUH’s mandatory training once every three years, besides having to pass an e-learning resuscitation program once every year.

Method To assess the quality of CPR performed at the OUH in relation to the level of training, by evaluating CPR data readouts from a test taken by OUH service assistants. Performances were evaluated in adherence to ERC guidelines (100–120 presses/min, compression depth 5–6 cm and reConflict of interestl position), furthermore participants filled out an accompanying questionnaire.

Results Nine ED service assistants and thirty-eight non-ED service assistants participated. Among EDs the pressing frequency was correct in 100% of cases, among non-EDs 55%. In the ED group the applied compression was correct in 78% versus 49% of cases, while there was full reConflict of interestl in 45% versus 54% of cases. Surprisingly, it was found that a large proportion of all service assistants had not completed the mandatory e-learning program.

Conclusion Non-EDs who only receive practical training once every 3 years frequently did not perform CPR to the standards of the ERC guidelines. This indicates that experience and frequent practical instruction would increase the quality of CPR at the OUH.

Conflict of interest None

Funding None