Royal Surrey shares potentially life-saving CPR research | News

Royal Surrey staff are set to present new research that could help improve the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) delivered by healthcare professionals during cardiac arrest.

The study suggests that rotating the clinician performing chest compressions more frequently than current guidance recommends could help maintain higher-quality CPR, potentially improving outcomes for patients.

The research involved 100 healthcare professionals from a range of clinical specialties and investigated whether they could consistently deliver high-quality chest compressions over the currently recommended two-minute interval before swapping with a colleague. While all participants maintained the recommended compression rate of 100-120 compressions per minute, most were unable to sustain optimal compression quality for the full two minutes because of fatigue. The findings indicate that more frequent rotations may help reduce fatigue and sustain the quality of chest compressions throughout resuscitation.

The research also found that age had an influence on endurance, with clinicians aged over 45 experiencing a more noticeable decline in compression depth and endurance, while younger participants generally maintained effective chest compressions for longer. Although some of the healthcare professionals were able to maintain the recommended compression depth throughout the full two-minute cycle, they represented a minority.

In recognition of the quality and significance of the research, the study has been selected for a poster presentation at the European Resuscitation Council Congress - Resuscitation 2026, taking place in Milan, Italy, from 17-19 September. The congress brings together clinicians, researchers and educators from across Europe to share the latest advances in resuscitation science.

Royal Surrey will be represented at the conference by Tina Johnson, Senior Resuscitation Officer, and Keith Chaplin, Senior Resuscitation Officer, who will present the team's findings to an international audience.

Bill Pasquier, Resuscitation Service Manager at Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust said: “The findings have great potential to shape future discussions on CPR practice in a healthcare setting and how we can support resuscitation teams to deliver consistently effective chest compressions while reducing fatigue.”

The study reflects Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust's ongoing commitment to improving patient care through research and evidence-based practice, helping to ensure the highest possible standards of resuscitation for patients experiencing cardiac arrest.