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

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. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.