Comparison of two paediatric resuscitation charts for ease of use

We have compared the ease and speed of use of two published paediatric resu scitation charts, the Burke and Bowden chart and the Oakley chart. Twenty g eneral anaesthetists each answered 11 questions on resuscitation data for f ive paediatric patients of different weights, heights and ages. Data was re corded for the five patients using one chart and then repeated for the same patients using the second with the order of use of chart being randomised (n = 100 patients for each chart). There were significantly fewer patients for whom mistakes were made with the Burke and Bowden chart compared to the modified Oakley chart (21 and 46, respectively, P < 0.001). Only one physi cian recorded the resuscitation data correctly for all five patients with e ach chart. The Burke and Bowden chart was also statistically significantly faster to use than the Oakley chart (52.7 s (range 31-103) versus 64 s (ran ge 44-115), respectively (P < 0.001)). A change in format and content of ea ch chart may be required to make them both more user friendly especially wh en used under stress. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science ireland Ltd. All rights res erved.