Inclined position is associated with improved first pass success and laryngoscopic view in prehospital endotracheal intubations.

PURPOSE: In hospital-based studies, patients intubated by physicians while in an inclined position compared to supine position had a higher rate of first pass success and lower rate of peri-intubation complications. We evaluated the impact of patient positioning on prehospital endotracheal intubation in an EMS system with rapid sequence induction capability. We hypothesized that patients in the inclined position would have a higher first-pass success rate. METHODS: Prehospital endotracheal intubation cases performed by paramedics between 2012 and 2017 were prospectively collected in airway registries maintained by a metropolitan EMS system. We included all adult (age ≥ 18 years) non-traumatic, non-arrest patients who received any attempt at intubation. Patients were categorized according to initial positioning: supine or inclined. The primary outcome measure was first pass success with secondary outcomes of laryngoscopic view and challenges to intubation. RESULTS: Of the 13,353 patients with endotracheal intubation attempted by paramedics during the study period, 4879 were included for analysis. Of these, 1924 (39.4%) were intubated in the inclined position. First pass success was 86.3% among the inclined group versus 82.5% for the supine group (difference 3.8%, 95% CI: 1.5%-6.1%). First attempt laryngeal grade I view was 62.9% in the inclined group versus 57.1% for the supine group (difference 5.8%, 2.0-9.6). Challenges to intubation were more frequent in the supine group (42.3% versus 38.8%, difference 3.5%, 0.6-6.3). CONCLUSION: Inclined positioning was associated with a better grade view and higher rate of first pass success. The technique should be considered as a viable approach for prehospital airway management.

Protocol: simulation training to improve 9-1-1 dispatcher identification of cardiac arrest.

BACKGROUND: 9-1-1 dispatchers are often the first contact for bystanders witnessing an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. In the time before Emergency Medical Services arrives, dispatcher identification of the need for, and provision of Telephone-CPR (T-CPR) can improve survival. Our study aims to evaluate the use of phone-based standardized patient simulation training to improve identification of the need for T-CPR and shorten time to start of T-CPR instructions. METHODS/DESIGN: The STAT-911 study is a randomized controlled trial. We will recruit 160 dispatchers from 9-1-1 call-centers in the Pacific Northwest; they are randomized to an intervention or control group. Intervention participants complete four telephone simulation training sessions over 6-8 months. Training sessions consist of three mock 9-1-1 calls, with a standardized patient playing a caller witnessing a medical emergency. After the mock calls, an instructor who has been listening in and scoring the dispatcher's call management, connects to the dispatcher and provides feedback on select call processing skills. After the last training session, all participants complete the simulation test: a call session that includes two mock 9-1-1 calls of medium complexity. During the study, audio from all actual cardiac arrest calls handled by the dispatchers will be collected. All dispatchers complete a baseline survey, and after the intervention, a follow-up survey to measure confidence. Primary outcomes are proportion of calls where dispatchers identify the need for T-CPR, and time to start of T-CPR, assessed by comparing performance on two calls in the simulation test. Secondary outcomes are proportion of actual cardiac arrest calls in which dispatchers identify the need for T-CPR and time to start of T-CPR; performance on call-taking skills during the simulation test; self-reported confidence in the baseline and follow-up surveys; and calculated costs of the intervention training sessions and projected costs for field implementation of training sessions. DISCUSSION: The STAT-911 study will evaluate if over-the-phone simulation training with standardized patients can improve 9-1-1 dispatchers' ability identify the need for, and promptly begin T-CPR. Furthermore, it will advance knowledge on the effectiveness of simulation training for health services phone-operators interacting with clients, patients, or bystanders in diagnosis, triage, and treatment decisions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01972087 . Registered 23 October 2013.

Chest compression alone cardiopulmonary resuscitation is associated with better long-term survival compared with standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the long-term survival effects of type-specific bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the community. We hypothesized that dispatcher instruction consisting of chest compression alone would be associated with better overall long-term prognosis in comparison with chest compression plus rescue breathing. METHODS AND RESULTS: The investigation was a retrospective cohort study that combined 2 randomized trials comparing the short-term survival effects of dispatcher CPR instruction consisting either of chest compression alone or chest compression plus rescue breathing. Long-term vital status was ascertained by using the respective National and State death records through July 31, 2011. We performed Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression to evaluate survival according to the type of CPR instruction. Of the 2496 subjects included in the current investigation, 1243 (50%) were randomly assigned to chest compression alone and 1253 (50%) were randomly assigned to chest compression plus rescue breathing. Baseline characteristics were similar between the 2 CPR groups. During the 1153.2 person-years of follow-up, there were 2260 deaths and 236 long-term survivors. Randomization to chest compression alone in comparison with chest compression plus rescue breathing was associated with a lower risk of death after adjustment for potential confounders (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.83-0.99; P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The findings provide strong support for long-term mortality benefit of dispatcher CPR instruction strategy consisting of chest compression alone rather than chest compression plus rescue breathing among adult patients with cardiac arrest requiring dispatcher assistance.

Factors associated with the adoption of a patient education intervention among first responders, King County, Washington, 2010-2011.

INTRODUCTION: This study investigated facilitators and barriers to adoption of an at-scene patient education program by firefighter emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in King County, Washington. METHODS: We consulted providers of emergency medical services (EMS) to develop a patient education pamphlet in the form of a tear-off sheet that could be attached to the EMT medical incident report. The pamphlet included resources for at-scene patient education on high blood pressure, blood glucose, falls, and social services. The program was launched in 29 fire departments in King County, Washington, on January 1, 2010, and a formal evaluation was conducted in late 2011. We developed a survey based on diffusion theory to assess 1) awareness of the pamphlet, 2) evaluation of the pamphlet attributes, 3) encouragement by peers and superiors for handing out the pamphlet, 4) perceived behavioral norms, and 5) demographic variables associated with self-reported adoption of the at-scene patient education program. The survey was completed by 822 (40.1%) of 2,047 firefighter emergency medical technicians. We conducted bivariate and multivariable analyses to assess associations between independent variables and self-reported adoption of the program. RESULTS: Adoption of the at-scene patient education intervention was significantly associated with positive evaluation of the pamphlet, encouragement from peers and superiors, and perceived behavioral norms. EMS providers reported they were most likely to hand out the pamphlet to patients in private residences who were treated and left at the scene. CONCLUSION: Attributes of chronic disease prevention programs and encouragement from peers and supervisors are necessary in diffusion of patient education interventions in the prehospital care setting.

Incidence, causes, and survival trends from cardiovascular-related sudden cardiac arrest in children and young adults 0 to 35 years of age: a 30-year review.

BACKGROUND: Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in children and young adults. This study determined the incidence, cause, and outcomes of cardiovascular-related out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in individuals <35 years of age. METHODS AND RESULTS: A retrospective cohort of OHCA in children and young adults from 1980 through 2009 was identified from the King County (Washington) Division of Emergency Medical Services' Cardiac Arrest Database. Incidence was calculated from population census data and causes of arrest determined by review of autopsy reports and all available medical records. A total of 361 cases (26 cases 0-2 years of age, 30 cases 3-13 years of age, 60 cases 14-24 years of age, and 245 cases 25-35 years of age) of OHCA were treated by emergency medical services responders, for an overall incidence of 2.28 per 100 000 person-years (2.1 in those 0-2 years of age, 0.61 in those 3-13 years of age, 1.44 in those 14-24 years of age, and 4.40 in those 25-35 years of age). The most common causes of OHCA were congenital abnormalities in those 0 to 2 years of age (84.0%) and 3 to 13 years of age (21%), presumed primary arrhythmia in those 14 to 24 of age (23.5%), and coronary artery disease in those 25 to 35 years of age (42.9%). The overall survival rate was 26.9% (3.8% in those 0-2 years of age, 40.0% in those 3-13 years of age, 36.7% in those 14-24 years of age, and 27.8% in those 25-35 years of age). Survival increased throughout the study period from 13.0% in 1980 to 1989 to 40.2% in 2000 to 2009 (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of OHCA in children and young adults is higher than previously reported, and a more specific understanding of the causes should guide future prevention programs. Survival trends support contemporary resuscitation protocols for OHCA in the young.

Impact of changes in resuscitation practice on survival and neurological outcome after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest resulting from nonshockable arrhythmias.

BACKGROUND: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) claims millions of lives worldwide each year. OHCA survival from shockable arrhythmias (ventricular fibrillation/ tachycardia) improved in several communities after implementation of American Heart Association resuscitation guidelines that eliminated "stacked" shocks and emphasized chest compressions. "Nonshockable" rhythms are now the predominant presentation of OHCA; the benefit of such treatments on nonshockable rhythms is uncertain. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 3960 patients with nontraumatic OHCA from nonshockable initial rhythms treated by prehospital providers in King County, Washington, over a 10-year period. Outcomes during a 5-year intervention period after adoption of new resuscitation guidelines were compared with the previous 5-year historical control period. The primary outcome was 1-year survival. Patient demographics and resuscitation characteristics were similar between the control (n=1774) and intervention (n=2186) groups, among whom 471 of 1774 patients (27%) versus 742 of 2186 patients (34%), respectively, achieved return of spontaneous circulation; 82 (4.6%) versus 149 (6.8%) were discharged from hospital, 60 (3.4%) versus 112 (5.1%) with favorable neurological outcome; 73 (4.1%) versus 135 (6.2%) survived 1 month; and 48 (2.7%) versus 106 patients (4.9%) survived 1 year (all P≤0.005). After adjustment for potential confounders, the intervention period was associated with an improved odds of 1.50 (95% confidence interval, 1.29-1.74) for return of spontaneous circulation, 1.53 (95% confidence interval, 1.14-2.05) for hospital survival, 1.56 (95% confidence interval, 1.11-2.18) for favorable neurological status, 1.54 (95% confidence interval, 1.14-2.10) for 1-month survival, and 1.85 (95% confidence interval, 1.29-2.66) for 1-year survival. CONCLUSION: Outcomes from OHCA resulting from nonshockable rhythms, although poor by comparison with shockable rhythm presentations, improved significantly after implementation of resuscitation guideline changes, suggesting their potential to benefit all presentations of OHCA.

CPR with chest compression alone or with rescue breathing.

BACKGROUND: The role of rescue breathing in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performed by a layperson is uncertain. We hypothesized that the dispatcher instructions to bystanders to provide chest compression alone would result in improved survival as compared with instructions to provide chest compression plus rescue breathing. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, randomized trial of dispatcher instructions to bystanders for performing CPR. The patients were persons 18 years of age or older with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest for whom dispatchers initiated CPR instruction to bystanders. Patients were randomly assigned to receive chest compression alone or chest compression plus rescue breathing. The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge. Secondary outcomes included a favorable neurologic outcome at discharge. RESULTS: Of the 1941 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 981 were randomly assigned to receive chest compression alone and 960 to receive chest compression plus rescue breathing. We observed no significant difference between the two groups in the proportion of patients who survived to hospital discharge (12.5% with chest compression alone and 11.0% with chest compression plus rescue breathing, P=0.31) or in the proportion who survived with a favorable neurologic outcome in the two sites that assessed this secondary outcome (14.4% and 11.5%, respectively; P=0.13). Prespecified subgroup analyses showed a trend toward a higher proportion of patients surviving to hospital discharge with chest compression alone as compared with chest compression plus rescue breathing for patients with a cardiac cause of arrest (15.5% vs. 12.3%, P=0.09) and for those with shockable rhythms (31.9% vs. 25.7%, P=0.09). CONCLUSIONS: Dispatcher instruction consisting of chest compression alone did not increase the survival rate overall, although there was a trend toward better outcomes in key clinical subgroups. The results support a strategy for CPR performed by laypersons that emphasizes chest compression and minimizes the role of rescue breathing. (Funded in part by the Laerdal Foundation for Acute Medicine and the Medic One Foundation; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00219687.)

Hypertension identification via emergency responders: a randomized controlled intervention study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to test the effectiveness of a mail campaign that included blood pressure (BP) measurements from patients treated by emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to motivate them to (re)check their BP at a fire station. The mailing used a 2×2 research design tailoring on risk and source personalization. METHOD: In this randomized controlled trial, participants were randomized into a control group or one of four experimental groups. Participants residing in one of four fire departments in a Pacific Northwest metropolitan area were eligible if they had a systolic BP≥160 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP≥100 mm Hg when seen by EMTs during the study period (July 2007-September 2009). RESULTS: Of 7106 eligible participants, 40.7% were reached for a follow-up interview. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that although the absolute number of fire station BP checks was low (4%), participants who received any mailed intervention had a 3 to 5-fold increase in the odds of reporting a fire station BP check over controls. Fire station visits did not differ by type of tailored mailing. CONCLUSION: Partnering with Emergency Medical Services is an innovative way to identify high-risk community members for population health interventions.

Feasibility of partnering with emergency medical services to identify people at risk for uncontrolled high blood pressure.

INTRODUCTION: Uncontrolled high blood pressure (HBP) is a significant health problem and often goes undetected. In the prehospital care-delivery system of 9-1-1 emergency medical services (EMS) calls, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) routinely collect medical information, including blood pressure values, that may indicate the presence of chronic disease. This information is usually archived without any further follow-up. We conducted several planning activities during the fall of 2006 to determine if a partnership between researchers at the Health Marketing Research Center at the University of Washington, Public Health Seattle King County EMS division, and several large fire departments could be developed to help identify community residents with uncontrolled HBP and determine the most effective way to communicate HBP information to them. METHODS: We partnered with 4 King County, Washington, fire departments that provide 9-1-1 EMS to develop an intervention for people with uncontrolled HBP who were attended by EMTs in response to a 9-1-1 call for assistance. On the basis of discussions with EMS personnel at all levels, we developed a system by which we could identify at-risk community residents by using medical incident report forms that EMS personnel completed; we consulted with EMS personnel to determine the most effective means of reaching these people. In addition we developed a survey to assess community residents' beliefs about blood pressure control, the role of EMTs as health care providers, and the convenience of fire stations as places to have blood pressure checked. Using contact information that EMS personnel obtained, we surveyed 282 community residents from a total of 794 people whom EMTs had identified as at risk for uncontrolled HBP to help us understand our target audience. RESULTS: In consultation with EMS personnel, we determined that direct mail was the most effective way to reach people with uncontrolled HBP identified from EMS records to advise them of their risk. On the basis of the number with a known response to each question, 67% (n = 180/269) of the respondents reported that a doctor or other health professional had told them they had HBP, 95% (246/259) believed that regular screening for HBP was important, 65% (166/254) said that EMTs were highly credible health care providers, and 82% (136/165) said that they would feel comfortable receiving blood pressure screening at a local fire station. CONCLUSION: Partnering with local EMS may be an effective way to identify and reach community residents with uncontrolled HBP with information on their medical condition and to encourage them to have follow-up screening.

Dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation: risks for patients not in cardiac arrest.

BACKGROUND: Dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instructions can increase bystander CPR and thereby increase the rate of survival from cardiac arrest. The risk of bystander CPR for patients not in arrest is uncertain and has implications for how assertive dispatch is in instructing CPR. We determined the frequency of dispatcher-assisted CPR for patients not in arrest and the frequency and severity of injury related to chest compressions. METHODS AND RESULTS: The investigation was a prospective cohort study of adult patients not in cardiac arrest for whom dispatchers provided CPR instructions in King County, Washington, between June 1, 2004, and January 31, 2007. The study focused on those who received chest compressions. Information was collected through review of the audio and written dispatch report, written emergency medical services report, hospital record, and telephone survey. Of the 1700 patients for whom dispatcher CPR instructions were initiated, 55% (938 of 1700) were in arrest, 45% (762 of 1700) were not in arrest, and 18% (313 of 1700) were not in arrest and received bystander chest compressions. Of the 247 not in arrest who received chest compressions and had complete outcome ascertainment, 12% (29 of 247) experienced discomfort, and 2% (6 of 247) sustained injuries likely or possibly caused by bystander CPR. Only 2% (5 of 247) suffered a fracture, and no patients suffered visceral organ injury. CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective study, the frequency of serious injury related to dispatcher-assisted bystander CPR among nonarrest patients was low. When coupled with the established benefits of bystander CPR among those with arrest, these results support an assertive program of dispatcher-assisted CPR.

Myocardial substrate in secondary ventricular fibrillation: insights from quantitative waveform measures.

BACKGROUND: Some patients presenting with nonshockable cardiac arrest rhythms will subsequently manifest ventricular fibrillation. Their prognosis remains poor despite transition to a shockable rhythm. Quantitative waveform measures assess the electrophysiologic status of the fibrillating heart and predict outcome. OBJECTIVE: To use waveform measures to compare those who presented initially with ventricular fibrillation (primary group) with those who manifested ventricular fibrillation after initially presenting with a nonshockable arrest rhythm (secondary group). METHODS: We conducted an observational study using a convenience sample to compare waveform measures of amplitude spectrum area (AMSA), cardioversion output predictor (COP), and detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) prior to initial shock between the primary (n = 178) and secondary (n = 28) groups. We produced a primary group matched to the secondary group based on the average waveform values to evaluate the observed versus expected outcomes in the secondary group. RESULTS: Survival was 42% in the primary group and 0% in the secondary group. There was a trend toward more favorable waveform values in the primary compared with the secondary group (9.48 versus 9.29, p = 0.10 for AMSA; 13.75 versus 14.12, p = 0.003 for COP; and 0.36 versus 0.44, p = 0.09 for DFA). The restricted, matched primary group experienced a survival of 37%, compared with 0% for the secondary group. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, the findings suggest that the electrophysiologic status of the heart may be suitable for resuscitation in at least some secondary ventricular fibrillation cases and that other pathophysiology may contribute substantially to the poor prognosis. Alternately, waveform measures may not predict clinical outcomes in secondary ventricular fibrillation.

Bystander Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Quality: Potential for Improvements in Cardiac Arrest Resuscitation.

Background Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a critical intervention to improve survival following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. We evaluated the quality of bystander CPR and whether performance varied according to the number of bystanders or provision of telecommunicator CPR (TCPR). Methods and Results We investigated non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest occurring in a large metropolitan emergency medical system during a 6-month period. Information about bystander care was ascertained through review of the 9-1-1 recordings in addition to emergency medical system and hospital records to determine bystander CPR status (none versus TCPR versus unassisted), the number of bystanders on-scene, and CPR performance metrics of compression fraction and compression rate. Of the 428 eligible out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, 76.4% received bystander CPR including 43.7% unassisted CPR and 56.3% TCPR; 35.2% had one bystander, 33.3% had 2 bystanders, and 31.5% had ≥3 bystanders. Overall compression fraction was 59% with a compression rate of 88 per minute. CPR differed according to TCPR status (fraction=52%, rate=87 per minute for TCPR versus fraction=69%, rate=102 for unassisted CPR, P<0.05 for each comparison) and the number of bystanders (fraction=55%, rate=87 per minute for 1 bystander, fraction=59%, rate=89 for 2 bystanders, fraction=65%, rate=97 for ≥3 bystanders, test for trend P<0.05 for each metric). Additional bystander actions were uncommon to include rotation of compressors (3.1%) or application of an automated external defibrillator (8.0%). Conclusions Bystander CPR quality as gauged by compression fraction and rate approached guideline goals though performance depended upon the type of CPR and number of bystanders.

Association between functional status at hospital discharge and long-term survival after out-of-hospital-cardiac-arrest.

BACKGROUND: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) causes brain injury. Functional status of survivors at hospital discharge is a core resuscitation measure, frequently using the Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) or modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Which scale better predicts long-term survival following OHCA is not known. METHODS: We evaluated long-term survival after hospital discharge in a retrospective cohort of persons resuscitated from OHCA in King County, WA from 2007 to 2015. Patients were independently assessed at discharge using both scales, leveraging the regional quality improvement registry, which records the 5-level CPC, and concurrent research studies involving the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium, which used the 7-level mRS, taken from information in the hospital record. The risk of mortality associated with CPC and mRS categories was estimated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: Among 878 eligible patients discharged alive, there were 358 deaths during 9118.5 person-years of follow-up. Overall 1, 5 and 10-year survival was 84.4%, 68.5%, and 53.7% and varied according to CPC and mRS (p < 0.01 per Kaplan-Meier). Compared to CPC-1, hazard ratio (HR) increased incrementally for CPC-2 = 1.33 (1.03-1.73), CPC-3 = 1.90 (1.37-2.65), and CPC-4 = 8.25 (5.63-12.10). Compared to mRS = 0, HR for mRS-1 = 1.02 (0.66-1.58), mRS-2 = 1.52 (1.00-2.32), mRS-3 = 1.41 (0.92-2.14), mRS-4 = 2.00 (1.37-2.97), and mRS-5 = 4.90 (3.23-7.44). CONCLUSION: In OHCA survivors, CPC and mRS scales both predicted long-term survival. However mRS 0-1 and 2-3 groups did not have distinct prognoses, suggesting that a consolidated mRS score may simplify capture of relevant prognostic information for survival predictions.

Prompt advanced life support improves survival from ventricular fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the interval between the arrival of basic life support (BLS) providers and the arrival of advanced life support (ALS) providers is associated with patient outcome after cardiac arrest. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all witnessed, out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation (VF) cardiac arrests between January 1, 1991, and December 31, 2007. Eligible patients (n = 1,781) received full resuscitation efforts from both BLS and ALS providers. RESULTS: The BLS-to-ALS arrival interval was a significant predictor of survival to hospital discharge (odds ratio [OR] 0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.93-0.99); the likelihood of survival decreased by 4% for every minute that ALS arrival was delayed following BLS arrival. Other significant predictors of survival were whether the arrest occurred in public (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.19-1.85), whether a bystander administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.07-1.68), and the interval between the 9-1-1 call and BLS arrival (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.73-0.83). CONCLUSIONS: We found that a shorter BLS-to-ALS arrival interval increased the likelihood of survival to hospital discharge after a witnessed, out-of-hospital VF cardiac arrest. We conclude that ALS interventions may provide additional benefits over BLS interventions alone when utilized in a well-established, two-tiered emergency medical services (EMS) system already optimized for rapid defibrillation. The highest priorities in any EMS system should still be early CPR and early defibrillation, but timely ALS services can supplement these crucial interventions.

Availability and Accuracy of EMS Information about Chronic Health and Medications in Cardiac Arrest.

INTRODUCTION: Field information available to emergency medical services (EMS) about a patient's chronic health conditions or medication therapies could help direct patient care or be used to investigate outcome disparities. However, little is known about the field availability or accuracy of information of chronic health conditions or chronic medication treatments in emergent circumstances, especially when the patient cannot serve as an information resource. We evaluated the prehospital availability and accuracy of specific chronic health conditions and medication treatments among out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients. METHODS: The investigation was a retrospective cohort study of adult persons suffering ventricular fibrillation OHCA treated by EMS in a large metropolitan county from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2013. The study was designed to determine the availability and accuracy of EMS ascertainment of selected chronic health conditions and medication treatments. We evaluated chronic health conditions of "any heart disease," congestive heart failure (CHF), and diabetes and medication treatments of beta blockers and loop diuretics using two distinct sources: 1) EMS report, and 2) hospital record specific to the OHCA event. Because hospital information was considered the gold standard, we restricted the primary analysis to those who were admitted to hospital. RESULTS: Of the 1,496 initially eligible patients, 387 could not be resuscitated and were pronounced dead in the field, one patient was left alive at scene due to Physician's Orders for Life-sustaining Treatment (POLST) orders, 125 expired in the emergency department (n=125), and 983 were admitted to hospital. A total of 832 of 1,496 (55.6%) had both sources of data for comparison and comprised the primary analytic group. Using the hospital record as the gold standard, EMS ascertainment had a sensitivity of 0.79 (304/384) and a specificity of 0.88 (218/248) for any prior heart disease; sensitivity 0.45 (47/105) and specificity 0.87 (477/516) for CHF; sensitivity 0.71 (143/201) and specificity 0.98 (416/424) for diabetes; sensitivity 0.70 (118/169) and specificity 0.94 (273/290) for beta blockers; sensitivity 0.70 (62/89) and specificity 0.97 (358/370) for loop diuretics. CONCLUSION: In this cohort of OHCA, information about selected chronic health conditions and medication treatments based on EMS ascertainment was available for many patients, generally revealing moderate sensitivity and greater specificity.

Effects of bystander CPR following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest on hospital costs and long-term survival.

BACKGROUND: Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is associated with a greater likelihood of survival to hospital discharge after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). However the long-term survival benefits in relationship to cost have not been well-studied. We evaluated bystander CPR, hospital-based costs, and long-term survival following OHCA in order to assess the potential cost-effectiveness of bystander CPR. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of consecutive EMS-treated OHCA patients >=12years who arrested prior to EMS arrival and outside a nursing facility between 2001 and 2010 in greater King County, WA. Utstein-style information was obtained from the EMS registry, including 5-year survival. Costs from the OHCA hospitalization were obtained from the Washington State Comprehensive Hospital Abstract Reporting System. Cost effectiveness was based on hospital costs divided by quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for a 5-year follow-up window. RESULTS: Of the 4448 eligible patients, 18.5% (n=824) were discharged alive from hospital and 12.1% (n=539) were alive at 5 years. Five-year survival was higher in patients who received bystander CPR (14.3% vs. 8.7%, p<0.001) translating to an average 0.09 QALYs associated with bystander CPR. The average (SD) total cost of the initial acute care hospitalization was USD 19,961 (40,498) for all admitted patients and USD 75,175 (52,276) for patients alive at year 5. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio associated with bystander CPR was USD 48,044 per QALY. CONCLUSION: Based on this population-based investigation, bystander CPR was positively associated with long-term survival and appears cost-effective.

The relationship between chronic health conditions and outcome following out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest.

INTRODUCTION: The cumulative burden of chronic health conditions could contribute to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) physiology and response to attempted resuscitation. Yet little is known about how chronic health conditions influence prognosis. We evaluated the relationship between cumulative comorbidity and outcome following ventricular fibrillation OHCA using 3 different scales. METHODS: We performed a cohort investigation of persons >=18years who suffered non-traumatic OHCA and presented with ventricular fibrillation between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2013 in a metropolitan emergency medical service (EMS) system. Chronic conditions were ascertained from EMS reports. The primary relationship between cumulative comorbidity and outcome (survival to hospital discharge) used the Charlson Index and two other scales. Analyses used logistical regression (LR), multiple imputation and inverse probability weighting. RESULTS: During the study period 1166/1488 potential patients were included. The median Charlson Index was 1 (25th-75th%: 0-2). Overall survival was 43.9%. Comorbidity was associated with a dose-dependent decrease in the likelihood of survival. ompared to Charlson Score of 0, the odds ratio of survival was 0.68 (0.48-0.96) for Charslon of 1, 0.49 (0.35-0.69) for Charlson of 2, and 0.43 (0.30-0.61) for Charlson of >=3 after adjustment for Utstein predictors using multivariable LR. This inverse comorbidity-survival association was similar for the other 2 scales and was observed for different clinical outcomes (admission to hospital, functional survival, 30-day survival, and 1-year survival). CONCLUSION: Based on these results, cumulative comorbidity can help explain survival variability and improve prognostic accuracy. Whether information about cumulative comorbidity or specific health conditions can inform resuscitation care is unknown though the results suggest comorbidity may influence acute pathophysiology and treatment response.

Simulation training to improve 9-1-1 dispatcher identification of cardiac arrest: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to test the effectiveness of simulation training, using actors to make mock calls, on improving Emergency Medical Dispatchers' (EMDs) ability to recognize the need for, and reduce the time to, telephone-assisted CPR (T-CPR) in simulated and real cardiac arrest 9-1-1 calls. METHODS: We conducted a parallel prospective randomized controlled trial with n=157 EMDs from thirteen 9-1-1 call centers. Study participants were randomized within each center to intervention (i.e., completing 4 simulation training sessions over 12-months) or control (status quo). After the intervention period, performance on 9 call processing skills and 2 time-intervals were measured in 2 simulation assessment calls for both arms. Six of the 13 call centers provided recordings of real cardiac arrest calls taken by study participants during the study period. RESULTS: Of the N=128 EMDs who completed the simulation assessment, intervention participants (n=66) performed significantly better on 6 of 9 call processing skills and started T-CPR 23s faster (73 vs 91s respectively, p<0.001) compared to participants in the control arm (n=62). In real cardiac arrest calls, EMDs who completed 3 or 4 training sessions were more likely to recognize the need for T-CPR for more challenging cardiac arrest calls than EMDs who completed fewer than 3, including controls who completed no training (68% vs 53%, p=0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Simulation training improves call processing skills and reduces time to T-CPR in simulated call scenarios, and may improve the recognition of the need for T-CPR in more challenging real-life cardiac arrest calls. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov Trial # NCT01972087.

Multistate 5-Year Initiative to Improve Care for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: Primary Results From the HeartRescue Project.

BACKGROUND: The HeartRescue Project is a multistate public health initiative focused on establishing statewide out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) systems of care to improve case capture and OHCA care in the community, by emergency medical services (EMS), and at hospital level. METHODS AND RESULTS: From 2011 to 2015 in the 5 original HeartRescue states, all adults with EMS-treated OHCA due to a presumed cardiac cause were included. In an adult population of 32.8 million, a total of 64 988 OHCAs-including 10 046 patients with a bystander-witnessed OHCA with a shockable rhythm-were treated by 330 EMS agencies. From 2011 to 2015, the case-capture rate for all-rhythm OHCA increased from an estimated 39.0% (n=6762) to 89.2% (n=16 103; P<0.001 for trend). Overall survival to hospital discharge was 11.4% for all rhythms and 34.0% in the subgroup with bystander-witnessed OHCA with a shockable rhythm. We observed modest temporal increases in bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (41.8-43.5%, P<0.001 for trend) and bystander automated external defibrillator application (3.2-5.6%, P<0.001 for trend) in the all-rhythm group, although there were no temporal changes in survival. There were marked all-rhythm survival differences across the 5 states (8.0-16.1%, P<0.001) and across participating EMS agencies (2.7-26.5%, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In the initial 5 years, the HeartRescue Project developed a population-based OHCA registry and improved statewide case-capture rates and some processes of care, although there were no early temporal changes in survival. The observed survival variation across states and EMS systems presents a future challenge to elucidate the characteristics of high-performing systems with the goal of improving OHCA care and survival.