Abstract 18100: Community-Based, Targeted CPR Education to Improve Survival From Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest in Tampa’s High-risk Neighborhoods

Abstract

Introduction: The Hands-Only CPR™ Program is a novel intervention designed to target high-risk neighborhoods (where the incidence of cardiac arrest is high and bystander CPR rates are low) to increase CPR performance. The program has been successfully implemented in pilot projects, however, the feasibility of implementing this program in additional communities is unknown. Objective: Conduct a feasibility study of a community-based Hands-Only CPR program in Tampa’s high-risk neighborhoods. Methods: Population: Convenience sample of 740 participants were recruited from target neighborhoods during a 16-week study period. Intervention: Participants completed a pre-test survey to for baseline CPR knowledge followed by a group Hands-Only CPR training (1 hour) conducted with the CPR Anytime kit, which includes an educational DVD and hands-on practical skills training with a manikin. Participants then completed a survey to assess their post-training knowledge and were asked to use the kits to train others. A $10 gift card incentive was given to participants once follow-up information was returned. Results: Participants were a mean age of 46.6 years, White (41.9%), Hispanic/Latino (37.6%), female (67.7%), had completed high school or above (82.6%), and had an annual income of less than $30,000 (35.8%) (Table 1). After the CPR intervention, the mean number of questions answered correctly on CPR knowledge increased. The majority of participants (81.1%) felt comfortable performing Hands-Only CPR after the intervention. 580 completed the pre- and post-tests. Of these 580, 37 (6.4%) participants returned information, with an additional 137 friends and family trained. Conclusion: The Hands-Only CPR Program is a novel method to increase the knowledge of CPR and comfort performing CPR in a target population. Additional studies will need to be conducted to test this intervention in other communities as well as its overall effect on bystander CPR rates.