TY - JOUR

T1 - Major differences in the use of protocols for dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation among ILCOR member countries

AU - Rasmussen, Stinne Eika

AU - Nebsbjerg, Mette Amalie

AU - Bomholt, Katrine Bjørnshave

AU - Krogh, Lise Qvirin

AU - Krogh, Kristian

AU - Povlsen, Jonas Agerlund

AU - Løfgren, Bo

PY - 2020

Y1 - 2020

N2 - Introduction and Purpose: Dispatcher-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. Methods: All 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. Results: A 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. Conclusion: Almost 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.

AB - Introduction and Purpose: Dispatcher-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. Methods: All 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. Results: A 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. Conclusion: Almost 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.

KW - Bystander

KW - Cardiac arrest

KW - Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

KW - Dispatcher

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85083828520&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.2147/OAEM.S236038

DO - 10.2147/OAEM.S236038

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 32308508

AN - SCOPUS:85083828520

VL - 12

SP - 67

EP - 71

JO - Open Access Emergency Medicine

JF - Open Access Emergency Medicine

SN - 1179-1500

ER -