Major Differences in the Use of Protocols for Dispatcher-Assisted Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Among ILCOR Member Countries.

Abstract

Introduction and PurposeDispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DA-CPR) increases the rate of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). DA-CPR is recommended by resuscitation councils globally and it has been shown that the general public expects to receive pre-arrival instructions while waiting for help. A scientific advisory from the American Heart Association identifies standardized and structured DA-CPR protocols as important to increase bystander CPR rates. This study aims to investigate whether different International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) member countries use DA-CPR protocols and to compare protocol contents between countries.MethodsAll resuscitation councils forming ILCOR were inquired by email to provide a copy of their DA-CPR protocol, and to state whether this protocol was used by all emergency dispatch centers in their country. The collected protocols were translated into English, and content was compared.ResultsA total of 60 countries were contacted (response rate: 83%). Of these, 46% stated to have a nationwide protocol, 30% reported to use local protocols, and 24% did not use a protocol. Overall, 54% provided a copy of their protocol. All translated protocols asked the rescuer to check for responsiveness and breathing, 35% to activate phone speaker function, half contained notes about agonal breathing and 59% included notes about integrating an automated external defibrillator.ConclusionAlmost one quarter of ILCOR member countries did not use a protocol for DA-CPR. Half of the protocols included notes about agonal breathing. Activation of phone speaker function and protocolled encouragements during CPR were rarely included.