The Effect of ten-minute dispatch-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation training: a randomized simulation pilot study

Abstract

Background Immediate bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is essential for survival from sudden cardiac arrest. Current CPR guidelines recommend that dispatchers assist lay rescuers performing CPR (dispatch-assisted CPR: DACPR), which can double the frequency of bystander CPR. Laypersons, however, are not familiar with receiving CPR instructions from dispatchers. DACPR training can be beneficial for lay rescuers, but this needs to be validated. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of brief DACPR training for lay rescuers in addition to a standard CPR training course. Methods We conducted a randomized DACPR simulation pilot study. Participants with no CPR training within 1 year prior to this study were assigned randomly to one of two 90-minute CPR training courses (DACPR Group: a standard CPR course including DACPR training for 10 minutes or Standard Group: a standard CPR course with a simple lecture of dispatchers’ role). In the DACPR Group, participants practiced DACPR through role-playing of a dispatcher and an emergency caller. Six months after the training, the subjects in both groups performed CPR for 2 minutes under instruction by off-duty dispatchers. Results Out of the 66 participants, 59 (DACPR Group; 30, Standard Group; 29) completed the simulation. The CPR quality was similar between the two groups. However, the median time interval between call receipt and the first dispatch-assisted compression was faster in the DACPR group (108 s vs. 129 s, p = 0.042). Conclusions This brief DACPR training can be effective for lay rescuers to start chest compressions more quickly.