Improving Bystander CPR at 9-1-1 Dispatch Centers

In this author video interview with Bently Bobrow, MD, Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, Bobrow describes the research design and goals of his new study published in JAMA Cardiology.

Bobrow presents a new "telephone cardiopulmonary resuscitation program" to improve patient outcomes for cases of cardiac arrest that occur outside of a hospital setting. Cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in the United States, and Bobrow's regional study of a "telephone CPR program" has already shown a 32 percent improvement in survival to hospital discharge for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients. These patients are presumably the ones receiving "bystander CPR" as instructed by trained 9-1-1 dispatchers, and the time saved between the 9-1-1 call and the arrival of EMS on scene clearly makes a large difference in the ultimate outcomes of these patients.

Bobrow's study design revolved around implementing a specific protocol, special training of 9-1-1 dispatchers, data collection, and quality improvement of CPR instructions at 9-1-1 dispatch centers.

While this study focused on a specific region of 9-1-1 dispatch centers, Bobrow is hopeful that the success shown in his research will prompt many other 9-1-1 dispatch centers to adapt this program.