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. 2020 Apr 2:12:67-71.
doi: 10.2147/OAEM.S236038. eCollection 2020.

Major Differences in the Use of Protocols for Dispatcher-Assisted Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Among ILCOR Member Countries

Stinne Eika Rasmussen  1 , Mette Amalie Nebsbjerg  1 , Katrine Bjørnshave Bomholt  1 , Lise Qvirin Krogh  1 , Kristian Krogh  1   2   3 , Jonas Agerlund Povlsen  4 , Bo Løfgren  1   4   5   6
Affiliations

Major Differences in the Use of Protocols for Dispatcher-Assisted Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Among ILCOR Member Countries

Stinne Eika Rasmussen et al. Open Access Emerg Med. .

Abstract

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.

Keywords: bystander; cardiac arrest; cardiopulmonary resuscitation; dispatcher.

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Conflict of interest statement

Professor Bo Løfgren is a member of the ILCOR Basic Life Support Task Force (2017–2020). The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Map showing the contacted countries and their respective responses. Notes: Yellow = nationwide protocol, orange = local protocols, red= no protocol, black = no answer and grey = not contacted.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Flowchart.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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