Call-Push-Shock: A Community Education Initiative to Strengthen the Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Chain of Survival

Abstract

Background: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a global health concern with an incidence of 8.9 million people annually. More than 350,000 incidences of OHCA occur yearly in the United States, with an average survival of 10%. Provision of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) use have been noted to significantly improve survival rates.

Aim: The aim of this quality improvement project was to strengthen the OHCA chain of survival on the university campus and within the surrounding community.

Methods: This was a multifaceted evidence-based quality improvement project involving community CPR/AED education, improving AED awareness, and policy creation.

Results: Participant (n = 759) knowledge of CPR and AED use improved between pre-test (M = 3.34, SD = 1.18) and post-test scores (M = 5.23, SD = 0.82). Participant knowledge of AED locations in areas they frequent improved from 58% to 91%, and comfort level for performing CPR improved from 59% to 97% post implementation. Adoption of a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan for the university was achieved, an additional 23 AEDs were placed on campus and uploaded to an AED location app.

Conclusion: There is strong evidence to support that communities who place an emphasis on strengthening the OHCA chain of survival report better OHCA outcomes.