HeartCode BLS with voice assisted manikin for teaching nursing students: preliminary results.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of HeartCode BLS, a self-directed, computer-based course for obtaining basic life support (BLS) certification. For part 2 of the course, students learned and practiced their cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) psychomotor skills on a voice assisted manikin (VAM). Students from 10 schools of nursing were randomly assigned to two types of CPR training: HeartCode BLS with VAM or the standard, instructor-led (IL) course with manikins that were not voice assisted; 264 students trained using HeartCode BLS and 339 had an IL course. When students passed their respective courses and were certified in BLS, their CPR skills were tested using the Laerdal PC SkillReporting System. Students who trained using HeartCode BLS and practiced their CPR skills on VAMs were significantly more accurate in their ventilations, compressions, and single-rescuer CPR than students who had the standard, IL course with regular manikins.