What is the purpose of high-quality chest compressions?

The purpose of high-quality chest compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is to maximize blood circulation to vital organs, primarily the heart and brain. Effective chest compressions create a pressure differential that helps propel blood throughout the body, facilitating the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues while also removing waste products. This is crucial during cardiac arrest when the heart is not effectively pumping blood on its own.

High-quality compressions should be performed at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute and at a depth of about two inches for adults, allowing full chest recoil between compressions. Maintaining this quality reduces the time that vital organs go without oxygenated blood, therefore increasing the chances of survival and better outcomes when advanced medical help arrives.

While aiding in the patient's recovery and assisting with breathing may be important components of patient care, they are secondary to the primary goal of ensuring adequate blood flow during cardiac arrest. Emotional support, although important in a broader context of patient care, does not relate directly to the immediate physiological need during CPR.