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Comparative Study
. 2017 Jun 5;6(6):e005972.
doi: 10.1161/JAHA.117.005972.

Regions With Low Rates of Bystander Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Have Lower Rates of CPR Training in Victoria, Australia

Janet E Bray  1   2 , Lahn Straney  3   4 , Karen Smith  3   5   6 , Susie Cartledge  3 , Rosalind Case  3 , Stephen Bernard  3   6 , Judith Finn  3   2
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Comparative Study

Regions With Low Rates of Bystander Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Have Lower Rates of CPR Training in Victoria, Australia

Janet E Bray et al. J Am Heart Assoc. .

Abstract

Background: Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) more than doubles the chance of surviving an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Recent data have shown considerable regional variation in bystander CPR rates across the Australian state of Victoria. This study aims to determine whether there is associated regional variation in rates of CPR training and willingness to perform CPR in these communities.

Methods and results: We categorized each Victorian postcode as either a low or high bystander CPR region using data on adult, bystander-witnessed, out-of-hospital cardiac arrests of presumed cardiac etiology (n=7175) from the Victorian Ambulance Cardiac Arrest Registry. We then surveyed adult Victorians (n=404) and compared CPR training data of the respondents from low and high bystander CPR regions. Of the 404 adults surveyed, 223 (55%) resided in regions with low bystander CPR. Compared with respondents from high bystander CPR regions, respondents residing in regions with low bystander CPR had lower rates of CPR training (62% versus 75%, P=0.009) and lower self-ratings for their overall knowledge of CPR (76% versus 84%, P=0.04). There were no differences between the regions in their reasons for not having undergone CPR training or in their willingness to perform CPR. Rates of survival for bystander-witnessed, out-of-hospital cardiac arrests were significantly lower in low bystander CPR regions (15.7% versus 17.0%, P<0.001).

Conclusions: This study found lower rates of CPR training and lower survival in regions with lower rates of bystander CPR in Victoria, Australia. Targeting these regions with CPR training programs may improve bystander CPR rates and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest outcomes.

Keywords: cardiac arrest; cardiopulmonary resuscitation; heart arrest.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A comparison of rates of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training, self‐reported knowledge, confidence to perform CPR, and awareness of hands‐only CPR between regions with low and high bystander CPR (error bars represent 95% confidence intervals).
Figure 2
Figure 2
A comparison of rates of survival for bystander witnessed out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrests in 2015 between regions with low and high bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR; error bars represent 95% confidence intervals [CI]).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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