Effectiveness of a network of automatically activated trained volunteers on the reduction of cardiopulmonary resuscitation manoueuvers initiation time: study protocol

Abstract

Background: Cardiorespiratory arrest (CRA) is a health emergency with high mortality. Mortality depends on time of initiation and quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) manoeuvres and the use of the automated external defibrillator (AED). Methods: The aim of the study is to determine the effectiveness of an automatically activated network of volunteers using smartwatch and smartphone applications on the reduction of time of initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation manoeuvres. The protocol will be developed in four phases: 1) validation of an application (App) for smartwatch that automatically generates a health alert in case of out-of-hospital cardiorespiratory arrest (OHCA); 2) training course for laypersons on CPR manoeuvres and AED use; 3) creation of a network of volunteers trained in CPR and AED use that covers our city; and 4) simulation in which the network of volunteers is automatically activated via smartphone to attend simulated OHCAs. A total of 134 health alerts will be generated; on 67 occasions the alert will be directed to the emergency health services and to the network of trained volunteers (Intervention Group) and on 67 occasions the alert will be solely directed to the emergency health services (Control Group). The arrival time of the first rescuer, category of first rescuer (emergency services versus network of volunteers), initiation time of manoeuvres and competence will be recorded. Discussion: CPR training for laypersons is advised, especially for relatives and people close to patients with heart disease, to reduce time of initiation of CPR and to improve OHCA survival rates. This study aims to verify that the initiation time of CPR manoeuvres and AED use is shorter in the intervention than in the control group.