Short summary

We wish to conduct a randomized controlled trial, where we examine the use of first aid volunteers to aid in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation in patients with out-of-hospital-cardiac arrest (OHCA). When a 1-1-2 phone call is made, a health professional will assess whether or not the call may concern a patient with OHCA. If so, an ambulance is immediately dispatched from the nearest center and a mobile GPS-tracking system is activated and starts randomization. The control group receives standard medical care by ambulance/paramedic, while the intervention group receives standard medical care by ambulance/paramedic plus activation of the three nearest first aid volunteers to assist in CPR and defibrillation of the OHCA patient.

Rationale

Early bystander CPR in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is known to increase survival rates. Also, the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) in OHCA patients may be essential to improve patient survival. By conducting this study, we wish to examine whether the mobile GPS-tracking system will result in earlier cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation in OHCA patients, and if this intervention affects survival rates in OHCA patients.

Description of the cohort

OCHA patients in Region of Southern Denmark and Region Zealand. 

Data and biological material

Data from Præhospital Patientjournal (PPJ), which involves information from ambulances in the two regions, data from the GPS-tracking system, FirstAED, concerning response times for the first aid volunteers including arrival of the AED. Also, we will collect ata from hospital journals during admission, results from blood samples, results from imaging/scans during admission as well as assess neurological status in the OHCA patients at ambulance arrival/arrival at hospital/at hospital discharge. Also, we will investigate survival rates in the two groups at discharge, at 30 days and after 1 year.

Collaborating researchers and departments

• Region of Southern Denmark
• Region Zealand
• FirstAED
• Dansk Folkehjælp 

• Consultant and professor Hans Mickley
• Consultant and Associate Professor Finn Lund Henriksen