Association Between Institution ZIP Code Characteristics and NIH Funding.

Introduction. While racial NIH funding disparities have been identified, little is known about the link between community demographics of institutions and NIH funding. We sought to evaluate the association between institution zip code characteristics and NIH funding. Methods. We linked the 2011-2021 NIH RePORTER database to Census data. We calculated the funding to each institution and stratified institutions into funding quartiles. We defined out independent variables as institution ZIP code level race/ethnicity (White, Black, and Hispanic), and socioeconomic status (household income, high school graduation rate, and unemployment rate). We used ordinal regression models to evaluate the association between institution ZIP code characteristics and grant funding quartile. Results. We included 731,548 grants (US$271,495,839,744) from 3,971 ZIP codes. The funding amounts in millions of U.S. dollars for the funding quartiles were fourth - 0.25, third - 1.1, second - 3.8, first - 43.5. Using ordinal regression, we found an association between increasing unemployment rate (OR = 1.03 [1.02, 1.05]), increasing high school graduation rate (OR = 3.6 [1.6, 8.4]), decreasing proportion of White people (OR = 0.4 [0.3, 0.5]), increasing proportion of Black people (OR = 1.3 [0.9, 1.8]), and increasing proportion of Hispanic/Latine people (OR = 2.5 [1.7, 3.5]) and higher grant funding quartiles. We found no association between household income and grant funding quartile. Conclusion. We found ZIP code demographics to be inadequate for evaluating NIH funding disparities, and the association between institution ZIP code demographics and investigator demographics is unclear. To evaluate and improve grant funding disparities, better grant recipient data accessibility and transparency are needed.

Association of hydroxyurea adherence with transcranial Doppler screenings in children with sickle cell disease.

BACKGROUND: National sickle cell disease (SCD) guidelines recommend oral hydroxyurea (HU) starting at 9 months of age, and annual transcranial Doppler (TCD) screenings to identify stroke risk in children aged 2-16 years. We examined prevalence and proportion of TCD screenings in North Carolina Medicaid enrollees to identify associations with sociodemographic factors and HU adherence over 3 years. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a longitudinal study with children ages 2-16 years with SCD enrolled in NC Medicaid from years 2016-2019. Prevalence of TCD screening claims was calculated for 3 years, and proportion was calculated for 12, 24, and 36 months of Medicaid enrollment. Enrollee HU adherence was categorized using HU proportion of days covered. Multivariable Poisson regression assessed for TCD screening rates by HU adherence, controlling for age, sex, and rurality. RESULTS: The prevalence of annual TCD screening was between 39.5% and 40.1%. Of those with 12-month enrollment, 77.8% had no TCD claims, compared to 22.2% who had one or higher TCD claims. Inversely, in children with 36 months of enrollment, 36.7% had no TCD claims compared to 63.3% who had one or higher TCD claims. The proportion of children with two or higher TCD claims increased with longer enrollment (10.5% at 12 months, 33.7% at 24 months, and 52.6% at 36 months). Children with good HU adherence were 2.48 (p < .0001) times more likely to have TCD claims than children with poor HU adherence. CONCLUSION: While overall TCD screening prevalence was low, children with better HU adherence and longer Medicaid enrollment had more TCD screenings. Multilevel interventions are needed to engage healthcare providers and families to improve both evidence-based care and annual TCD screenings in children with SCD.

Incorporation of Drone Technology Into the Chain of Survival for OHCA: Estimation of Time Needed for Bystander Treatment of OHCA and CPR Performance.

BACKGROUND: Drone-delivered automated external defibrillators (AEDs) hold promises in the treatment of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Our objective was to estimate the time needed to perform resuscitation with a drone-delivered AED and to measure cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) quality. METHODS: Mock out-of-hospital cardiac arrest simulations that included a 9-1-1 call, CPR, and drone-delivered AED were conducted. Each simulation was timed and video-recorded. CPR performance metrics were recorded by a Laerdal Resusci Anne Quality Feedback System. Multivariable regression modeling examined factors associated with time from 9-1-1 call to AED shock and CPR quality metrics (compression rate, depth, recoil, and chest compression fraction). Comparisons were made among those with recent CPR training (≤2 years) versus no recent (>2 years) or prior CPR training. RESULTS: We recruited 51 research participants between September 2019 and March 2020. The median age was 34 (Q1-Q3, 23-54) years, 56.9% were female, and 41.2% had recent CPR training. The median time from 9-1-1 call to initiation of CPR was 1:19 (Q1-Q3, 1:06-1:26) minutes. A median time of 1:59 (Q1-Q3, 01:50-02:20) minutes was needed to retrieve a drone-delivered AED and deliver a shock. The median CPR compression rate was 115 (Q1-Q3, 109-124) beats per minute, the correct compression depth percentage was 92% (Q1-Q3, 25-98), and the chest compression fraction was 46.7% (Q1-Q3, 39.9%-50.6%). Recent CPR training was not associated with CPR quality or time from 9-1-1 call to AED shock. Younger age (per 10-year increase; ß, 9.97 [95% CI, 4.63-15.31] s; P<0.001) and prior experience with AED (ß, -30.0 [95% CI, -50.1 to -10.0] s; P=0.004) were associated with more rapid time from 9-1-1 call to AED shock. Prior AED use (ß, 6.71 [95% CI, 1.62-11.79]; P=0.011) was associated with improved chest compression fraction percentage. CONCLUSION: Research participants were able to rapidly retrieve an AED from a drone while largely maintaining CPR quality according to American Heart Association guidelines. Chest compression fraction was lower than expected.

Birth Prevalence of Sickle Cell Disease and County-Level Social Vulnerability - Sickle Cell Data Collection Program, 11 States, 2016-2020.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) remains a public health priority in the United States because of its association with complex health needs, reduced life expectancy, lifelong disabilities, and high cost of care. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted to calculate the crude and race-specific birth prevalence for SCD using state newborn screening program records during 2016-2020 from 11 Sickle Cell Data Collection program states. The percentage distribution of birth mother residence within Social Vulnerability Index quartiles was derived. Among 3,305 newborns with confirmed SCD (including 57% with homozygous hemoglobin S or sickle ß-null thalassemia across 11 states, 90% of whom were Black or African American [Black], and 4% of whom were Hispanic or Latino), the crude SCD birth prevalence was 4.83 per 10,000 (one in every 2,070) live births and 28.54 per 10,000 (one in every 350) non-Hispanic Black newborns. Approximately two thirds (67%) of mothers of newborns with SCD lived in counties with high or very high levels of social vulnerability; most mothers lived in counties with high or very high levels of vulnerability for racial and ethnic minority status (89%) and housing type and transportation (64%) themes. These findings can guide public health, health care systems, and community program planning and implementation that address social determinants of health for infants with SCD. Implementation of tailored interventions, including increasing access to transportation, improving housing, and advancing equity in high vulnerability areas, could facilitate care and improve health outcomes for children with SCD.

Factors influencing support for the implementation of community-based out-of-hospital cardiac arrest interventions in high- and low-performing counties.

Aim of the study: Survival to hospital discharge from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) after receiving treatment from emergency medical services (EMS) is less than 10% in the United States. Community-focused interventions improve survival rates, but there is limited information on how to gain support for new interventions or program activities within these populations. Using data from the RAndomized Cluster Evaluation of Cardiac ARrest Systems (RACE-CARS) trial, we aimed to identify the factors influencing emergency response agencies' support in implementing an OHCA intervention. Methods: North Carolina counties were stratified into high-performing or low-performing counties based on the county's cardiac arrest volume, percent of bystander-cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performed, patient survival to hospital discharge, cerebral performance in patients after cardiac arrest, and perceived engagement in the RACE-CARS project. We randomly selected 4 high-performing and 3 low-performing counties and conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with emergency response stakeholders in each county. Results: From 10/2021 to 02/2022, we completed 29 interviews across the 7 counties (EMS (n = 9), telecommunications (n = 7), fire/first responders (n = 7), and hospital representatives (n = 6)). We identified three themes salient to community support for OHCA intervention: (1) initiating support at emergency response agencies; (2) obtaining support from emergency response agency staff (senior leadership and emergency response teams); and (3) and maintaining support. For each theme, we described similarities and differences by high- and low-performing county. Conclusions: We identified techniques for supporting effective engagement of emergency response agencies in community-based interventions for OHCA improving survival rates. This work may inform future programs and initiatives around implementation of community-based interventions for OHCA.

Sex Differences in Receipt of Bystander Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Considering Neighborhood Racial and Ethnic Composition.

BACKGROUND: Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (B-CPR) and defibrillation for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) vary by sex, with women being less likely to receive these interventions in public. It is unknown whether sex differences persist when considering neighborhood racial and ethnic composition. We examined the odds of receiving B-CPR stratified by location and neighborhood. We hypothesized that women in predominantly Black neighborhoods will have a lower odds of receiving B-CPR. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a retrospective study using the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES). Neighborhoods were classified by census tract. We modeled the odds of receipt of B-CPR (primary outcome), automatic external defibrillation application, and survival to hospital discharge (secondary outcomes) by sex. CARES collected 457 621 arrests (2013-2019); after appropriate exclusion, 309 662 were included. Women who had public OHCA had a 14% lower odds of receiving B-CPR (odds ratio [OR], 0.86 [95% CI, 0.82-0.89]), but effect modification was not seen by neighborhood (P=not significant). In predominantly Black neighborhoods, women who had public OHCA had a 13% lower odds of receiving B-CPR (adjusted OR, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.76-0.98]) and 12% lower odds of receiving automatic external defibrillation application (adjusted OR, 0.88 [95% CI, 0.78-0.99]). In predominantly Hispanic neighborhoods, women who had public OHCA were less likely to receive B-CPR (adjusted OR, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.73-0.96]) and less likely to receive automatic external defibrillation application (adjusted OR, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.64-0.87]). CONCLUSIONS: Women with public OHCA have a decreased likelihood of receiving B-CPR and automatic external defibrillation application. Findings did not differ significantly according to neighborhood composition. Despite this, our work has implications for considering strategies to reduce disparities around bystander response.

Gender, Socioeconomic Status, Race, and Ethnic Disparities in Bystander Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Education-A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Social determinants are associated with survival from out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Because prompt delivery of bystander CPR (B-CPR) doubles survival and B-CPR rates are low, we sought to assess whether gender, socioeconomic status (SES), race, and ethnicity are associated with lower rates of B-CPR and CPR training. METHODS: This scoping review was conducted as part of the continuous evidence evaluation process for the 2020 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care as part of the Resuscitation Education Science section. We searched PubMed and excluded citations that were abstracts only, letters or editorials, and pediatric studies. RESULTS: We reviewed 762 manuscripts and identified 24 as relevant; 4 explored gender disparities; 12 explored SES; 11 explored race and ethnicity; and 3 had overlapping themes, all of which examined B-CPR or CPR training. Females were less likely to receive B-CPR than males in public locations. Observed gender disparities in B-CPR may be associated with individuals fearing accusations of inappropriate touching or injuring female victims. Studies demonstrated that low-SES neighborhoods were associated with lower rates of B-CPR and CPR training. In the US, predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhoods were associated with lower rates of B-CPR and CPR training. Language barriers were associated with lack of CPR training. CONCLUSION: Gender, SES, race, and ethnicity impact receiving B-CPR and obtaining CPR training. The impact of this is that these populations are less likely to receive B-CPR, which decreases their odds of surviving SCA. These health disparities must be addressed. Our work can inform future research, education, and public health initiatives to promote equity in B-CPR knowledge and provision. As an immediate next step, organizations that develop and deliver CPR curricula to potential bystanders should engage affected communities to determine how best to improve training and delivery of B-CPR.

Barriers and facilitators for developing a prehospital emergency care system evaluation tool (PEC-SET) for low-resource settings: a qualitative analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Strengthening of emergency care systems, including prehospital systems, can reduce death and disability. We aimed to identify perspectives on barriers and facilitators relating to the development and implementation of a prehospital emergency care system assessment tool (PEC-SET) from prehospital providers representing several South and Southeast (SE) Asian countries. DESIGN: We conducted a qualitative study using focus group discussions (FGD) informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). FGDs were conducted in English, audioconferencing/videoconferencing was recorded, transcribed verbatim and coded using an inductive and deductive approach. Participants suggested specific elements to be measured within three main 'pillars' of disease conditions proposed by the research team of the tool being developed (cardiovascular, trauma and perinatal emergencies). SETTING: We explored the perspectives of medical directors in six low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) in South and SE Asia. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 16 participants were interviewed (1 Vietnam, 4 Philippines, 4 Thailand, 5 Malaysia, 1 Indonesia and 1 Pakistan) as a part of 4 focus groups. RESULTS: Themes identified within the four CFIR constructs included: (1) Intervention characteristics: importance of developing an contextually specific tool, need for generalisability, trialling in one geographical area or with one pillar before expanding; (2) Inner setting: data transfer barriers, workforce shortages; (3) Outer setting: underdevelopment of EMS nationally; need for further EMS system development prior to implementing a tool and (4) Individual characteristics: lack of buy-in by prehospital personnel. Elements proposed by participants included both process and outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS: Through the CFIR framework, we identified several themes which can provide a basis for codeveloping a PEC-SET for LMICs with local stakeholders. This work may inform development of quality improvement tools in LMIC PEC systems.

"Needed but lacked": Exploring demand- and supply-side determinants of access to cardiopulmonary resuscitation training for the lay public in China.

Background: Despite years of public cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training efforts, the training rate and survival following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) have increased modestly in China. Access is imperative to increase the public CPR training rate, which is determined by both demand- (e.g., the lay public) and supply-side (e.g., CPR trainers) factors. We aimed to explore the demand and supply determinants of access to CPR training for the lay public in China. Methods: Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 77 laypeople (demand side) and eight key stakeholders from CPR training institutions (supply side) in Shanghai, China. The interview guide was informed by Levesque et al. healthcare access framework. Data were transcribed, quantified, described, and analyzed through thematic content analysis. Results: On the demand side, the laypeople's ability to perceive their need and willingness for CPR training was strong. However, they failed to access CPR training mainly due to the lack of information on where to get trained. Overestimation of skills, optimism bias, and misconceptions impeded laypeople from attending training. On the supply side, trainers were able to meet the needs of the trainees with existing resources, but they relied on participants who actively sought out and registered for training and lacked an understanding of the needs of the public for marketing and encouraging participation in the training. Conclusion: Insufficient information and lack of initiative on the demand side, lack of motivation, and understanding of public needs on the supply side all contributed to the persistently low CPR training rate in China. Suppliers should integrate resources, take the initiative to increase the CPR training rate, innovate training modes, expand correct publicity, and establish whole-process management of training programs.

Global prevalence of basic life support training: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest exerts a large disease burden, which may be mitigated by bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillation. We aimed to estimate the global prevalence and distribution of bystander training among laypersons, which are poorly understood, and to identify their determinants. METHODS: We searched electronic databases for cross-sectional studies reporting the prevalence of bystander training from representative population samples. Pooled prevalence was calculated using random-effects models. Key outcome was cardiopulmonary resuscitation training (training within two-years and those who were ever trained). We explored determinants of interest using subgroup analysis and meta-regression. RESULTS: 29 studies were included, representing 53,397 laypersons. Among national studies, the prevalence of cardiopulmonary resuscitation training within two-years and among those who were ever trained, and automated external defibrillator training was 10.02% (95% CI 6.60 -14.05), 42.04% (95% CI 30.98-53.28) and 21.08% (95% CI 10.16-34.66) respectively. Subgroup analyses by continent revealed pooled prevalence estimates of 31.58% (95%CI 18.70-46.09), 58.78% (95%CI 42.41-74.21), 18.93 (95%CI 0.00-62.94), 64.97% (95%CI 64.00-65.93), and 50.56% (95%CI 47.57-53.54) in Asia, Europe, Middle East, North America, and Oceania respectively, with significant subgroup differences (p < 0.01). A country's income and cardiopulmonary resuscitation training (ever trained) (p = 0.033) were positively correlated. Similarly, this prevalence was higher among the highly educated (p<0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: Large regional variation exists in data availability and bystander training prevalence. Socioeconomic status correlated with prevalence of bystander training, and regional disparities were apparent between continents. Bystander training should be promoted, particularly in Asia, Middle East, and low-income regions. Data availability should be encouraged from under-represented regions.

Evaluation of telephone-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation recommendations for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

AIM OF THE STUDY: While out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is associated with poor survival, early bystander CPR (B-CPR) and telephone CPR (T-CPR) improves survival from OHCA. American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Statements outline recommendations for T-CPR. We assessed these recommendations and hypothesized that meeting performance standards is associated with increased likelihood of survival. Additional variables were analyzed to identify future performance measurements. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of non-traumatic, adult, OHCA using the Singapore Pan-Asian Resuscitation Outcomes Study. The primary outcome was likelihood of survival; secondary outcomes were pre-hospital Return of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC) and B-CPR. RESULTS: From 2012 to 2016, 2,574 arrests met inclusion criteria. Mean age was 68 ± 15; of 2,574, 1,125 (44%) received T-CPR with 5% (135/2574) survival. T-CPR cases that met the Lerner et al. performance metrics analyzed, demonstrated no statistically significant association with survival. Cases which met the Kurz et al. criteria, "Time for Dispatch to Recognize Need for CPR" and "Time to First Compression," had adjusted odds ratios of survival of 1.01 (95% CI:1.00, 1.02; p = <0.01) and 0.99 (95% CI:0.99, 0.99; p = <0.01), respectively. Identified barriers to CPR decreased the odds of T-CPR and B-CPR being performed. Patients with prehospital ROSC had higher odds of B-CPR being performed. EMS response time < 8 minutes was associated with increased survival among patients receiving T-CPR. CONCLUSION: AHA scientific statements on T-CPR programs serve as ideal starting points for increasing the quality of T-CPR systems and patient outcomes. More work is needed to identify other system performance measures.

Variation in community and ambulance care processes for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (BCPR), early defibrillation and timely treatment by emergency medical services (EMS) can double the chance of survival from out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest (OHCA). We investigated the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the pre-hospital chain of survival. We searched five bibliographical databases for articles that compared prehospital OHCA care processes during and before the COVID-19 pandemic. Random effects meta-analyses were conducted, and meta-regression with mixed-effect models and subgroup analyses were conducted where appropriate. The search yielded 966 articles; 20 articles were included in our analysis. OHCA at home was more common during the pandemic (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.11-1.71, p = 0.0069). BCPR did not differ during and before the COVID-19 pandemic (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.80-1.11, p = 0.4631), although bystander defibrillation was significantly lower during the COVID-19 pandemic (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.48-0.88, p = 0.0107). EMS call-to-arrival time was significantly higher during the COVID-19 pandemic (SMD 0.27, 95% CI 0.13-0.40, p = 0.0006). Resuscitation duration did not differ significantly between pandemic and pre-pandemic timeframes. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected prehospital processes for OHCA. These findings may inform future interventions, particularly to consider interventions to increase BCPR and improve the pre-hospital chain of survival.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the epidemiology of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly influenced epidemiology, yet its impact on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on the incidence and case fatality rate (CFR) of OHCA. We also evaluated the impact on intermediate outcomes and clinical characteristics. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception to May 3, 2021. Studies were included if they compared OHCA processes and outcomes between the pandemic and historical control time periods. Meta-analyses were performed for primary outcomes [annual incidence, mortality, and case fatality rate (CFR)], secondary outcomes [field termination of resuscitation (TOR), return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), survival to hospital admission, and survival to hospital discharge], and clinical characteristics (shockable rhythm and etiologies). This study was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (CRD42021253879). RESULTS: The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a 39.5% increase in pooled annual OHCA incidence (p < 0.001). Pooled CFR was increased by 2.65% (p < 0.001), with a pooled odds ratio (OR) of 1.95 for mortality [95% confidence interval (95%CI) 1.51-2.51]. There was increased field TOR (OR = 2.46, 95%CI 1.62-3.74). There were decreased ROSC (OR = 0.65, 95%CI 0.55-0.77), survival to hospital admission (OR = 0.65, 95%CI 0.48-0.89), and survival to discharge (OR = 0.52, 95%CI 0.40-0.69). There was decreased shockable rhythm (OR = 0.73, 95%CI 0.60-0.88) and increased asphyxial etiology of OHCA (OR = 1.17, 95%CI 1.02-1.33). CONCLUSION: Compared to the pre-pandemic period, the COVID-19 pandemic period was significantly associated with increased OHCA incidence and worse outcomes.

Dissemination of Evidence-Based Recommendations for Sickle Cell Disease to Primary Care and Emergency Department Providers in North Carolina: A Cost Benefit Analysis.

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic condition affecting primarily individuals of African descent, who happen to be disproportionately impacted by poverty and who lack access to health care. Individuals with SCD are at high likelihood of high acute care utilization and chronic pain episodes. The multiple complications seen in SCD contribute to significant morbidity and premature mortality, as well as substantial costs to the healthcare system. Objectives: SCD is a complex chronic disease resulting in the need for primary, specialty and emergency care. Many providers do not feel prepared to care for individuals with SCD, despite the existence of evidence-based guidelines. We report the development of a SCD toolbox and the dissemination process to primary care and emergency department (ED) providers in North Carolina (NC). We report the effect of this dissemination on health-care utilization, cost of care, and overall cost-benefit. Methods: The SCD toolbox was adapted from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommendations. Toolbox training was provided to quality improvement specialists who then disseminated the toolbox to primary care providers (PCPs) affiliated with the only NC managed care coordination system and ED providers. Tools were made available in paper, online, and in app formats to participating managed care network practices (n=1 800). Medicaid claims data were analyzed for total costs and benefits of the toolbox dissemination for a 24-month pre- and 18-month post-intervention period. Results: There was no statistically significant shift in the number of outpatient specialty visits, ED visits or hospitalizations. There was a small decrease in the number of PCP visits in the post-implementation period. The dissemination resulted in a net cost-savings of $361 414 ($14.03 per-enrollee per-month on average). However, the estimated financial benefit associated with the dissemination of the SCD toolbox was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Although we did not find the expected shift to increased PCP visits and decreased ED visits and hospitalizations, there were many lessons learned.