Abstract
Background
Dispatch of lay volunteers trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and equipped
with automated external defibrillators (AEDs) may improve survival in cases of out-of-hospital
cardiac arrest (OHCA). The aim of this study was to investigate the functionality
and performance of a smartphone application for locating and alerting nearby trained
laymen/women in cases of OHCA.
Methods
A system using a smartphone application activated by Emergency Dispatch Centres was
used to locate and alert laymen/women to nearby suspected OHCAs. Lay responders were
instructed either to perform CPR or collect a nearby AED. An online survey was carried
out among the responders.
Results
From February to August 2016, the system was activated in 685 cases of suspected OHCA.
Among these, 224 cases were Emergency Medical Services (EMSs)-treated OHCAs (33%).
EMS-witnessed cases (n = 11) and cases with missing survey data (n = 15) were excluded.
In the remaining 198 OHCAs, lay responders arrived at the scene in 116 cases (58%),
and prior to EMSs in 51 cases (26%). An AED was attached in 17 cases (9%) and 4 (2%)
were defibrillated. Lay responders performed CPR in 54 cases (27%). Median distance
to the OHCA was 560 m (IQR 332–860 m), and 1280 m (IQR 748–1776 m) via AED pick-up.
The survey-answering rate was 82%.
Conclusion
A smartphone application can be used to alert CPR-trained lay volunteers to OHCAs
for CPR. Further improvements are needed to shorten the time to defibrillation before
EMS arrival.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 04, 2018
Accepted:
January 26,
2018
Received in revised form:
December 31,
2017
Received:
November 5,
2017
Identification
Copyright
© 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
