Abstract
AimTo describe the implementation of a novel first-responder programme in which home care providers equipped with automated external defibrillators (AEDs) were dispatched in parallel with existing emergency medical services in the event of a suspected out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).MethodsWe evaluated a one-year prospective study that trained home care providers in performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and using an AED in cases of suspected OHCA. Data were collected from cardiac arrest case files, case files from each provider dispatch and a survey among dispatched providers. The study was conducted in a rural district in Denmark.ResultsHome care providers were dispatched to 28 of the 60 OHCAs that occurred in the study period. In ten cases the providers arrived before the ambulance service and subsequently performed CPR. AED analysis was executed in three cases and shock was delivered in one case. For 26 of the 28 cases, the cardiac arrest occurred in a private home. Ninety-five per cent of the providers who had been dispatched to a cardiac arrest reported feeling prepared for managing the initial resuscitation, including use of AED.ConclusionHome care providers are suited to act as first-responders in predominantly rural and residential districts. Future follow-up will allow further evaluation of home care provider arrivals and patient survival.
Highlights
The prompt delivery of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and early defibrillation before the arrival of emergency medical services (EMS) in the event of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) are considered among the most important determinants of survival [1,2,3]
Home care providers were dispatched to 28 of the 60 OHCAs that occurred in the study period
As most OHCAs occur in private homes and in high density population areas, early defibrillation is hampered by availability and effective coverage of stationary automated external defibrillators (AEDs) [3,11,12]
Summary
To describe the implementation of a novel first-responder programme in which home care providers equipped with automated external defibrillators (AEDs) were dispatched in parallel with existing emergency medical services in the event of a suspected out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Data Availability Statement: Access to the data requires permission from the Danish Data Protection Agency, since the database contains health information from people that can be identified. Permission to use the database can be obtained from the Danish Data Protection Agency (available at http://www.datatilsynet.dk/english/). Author Steen Hansen (steen.hansen@rn.dk) can be contacted. He will assist with access permission and use of the database. The name of the database is “Parat til hjertestart database”.
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