911 Dispatcher Assistance Significantly Boosts Bystander CPR Rates

A recent study conducted in North Carolina has shown that emergency dispatcher assistance significantly increases the chances of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. The research, to be presented at the American Heart Association's Resuscitation Science Symposium 2024, analyzed nearly 2,400 cardiac arrest cases and found that dispatcher guidance led to a substantial increase in bystander CPR rates for both men and women.

According to the study, when emergency dispatchers provided CPR instructions to 911 callers, bystander CPR was performed 44% of the time for women and 40% for men. This is a marked improvement compared to cases without dispatcher assistance, where bystander CPR rates were only 9% for women and 11% for men. The findings suggest that dispatcher support plays a crucial role in overcoming hesitation and encouraging immediate action during cardiac emergencies.

Lead author Audrey Blewer, Ph.D., M.P.H., from Duke University, emphasized the importance of these findings, stating, "CPR can double an individual's chance of survival." The research highlights the critical role of telecommunicators in the chain of survival for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests and their potential to reduce known gender disparities in emergency response.

The study also revealed that the median time from call receipt to recognition of the need for CPR was 87 seconds for both genders, with the time to first compression being approximately three and a half minutes. These time metrics underscore the efficiency of dispatcher-assisted CPR and its potential impact on survival rates.

This research has significant implications for public health and emergency response systems. By demonstrating the effectiveness of dispatcher assistance in increasing bystander CPR rates, the study supports the need for continued training and support for emergency telecommunicators. It also highlights the importance of public education on the critical role of immediate action in cardiac emergencies and the willingness to follow dispatcher instructions.

As cardiac arrest remains a leading cause of death in the United States, with over 357,000 out-of-hospital cases occurring annually, these findings could inform policies and practices to improve survival rates. The study's results emphasize the need for continued research and advocacy to support community emergency response and address disparities in cardiac arrest care.