Time to Delivery of an Automated External Defibrillator Using a Drone for Simulated Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests vs Emergency Medical Services

Abstract

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) affects approximately 55 of 100 000 inhabitants per year in the United States, with low survival (8%-10%). 1 Reducing time to defibrillation is the most important factor for increasing survival in OHCA. 2,3 Unmanned aerial systems, commonly called drones, can be activated by a dispatcher and sent to an address provided by a 911 caller. The drone may carry an automated external defibrillator (AED) to the location of an OHCA so that a bystander can detach and use it. Theoretical geographical information system models have shown that drones carrying an AED can reduce response times in rural areas. 4,5 However, whether they reduce response times in a real-life situation is unknown. This study compared the time to delivery of an AED using fully autonomous drones for simulated OHCAs vs emergency medical services (EMS).

Relationship Between Emergency Medical Services Response Time and Bystander Intervention in Patients With Out‐of‐Hospital Cardiac Arrest

“…Therefore, appropriate initiatives should be adopted to reduce EMS response time 31, 32, 33. Such initiatives may include the reconfiguration of emergency call systems to enable rapid arrival of lay‐trained volunteers before the arrival of EMS personnel at the scene, or the implementation of educational programs to improve performance of high‐quality bystander CPR with defibrillation 7, 30, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42…”

Delivery of Automated External Defibrillators (AED) by Drones: Implications for Emergency Cardiac Care

“…In this approach, when a bystander activates an emergency response system (911 in the U.S), the dispatcher could deploy AED- equipped drones in conjunction with EMS for suspected OHCA events. If the drone arrived before EMS, the bystander would then have the opportunity to apply the AED to the victim with the possibility of assistance from the emergency response dispatcher [16•]. This strategy could be particularly useful for accessing “hard to reach places” such as rural settings and mountainous areas, where EMS has long transport times (Fig.…”

“…Investigators found that a network of drones could cover 90% of cardiac arrest demand within a minute, as compared to the current response coverage of 4.3% with current EMS organization [23•]. In 2017, Sweden investigators conducted a study to compare times between drone delivery and EMS delivery to OHCA sites, where consecutive OHCAs occurred prior [16•]. Investigators compared the time for drone delivery with time to EMS arrival, the later which was identified through an ongoing Swedish Registry for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.…”

“…Investigators compared the time for drone delivery with time to EMS arrival, the later which was identified through an ongoing Swedish Registry for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. They developed a drone equipped with a global positioning system (GPS), highdefinition camera, and an integrated autopilot software system [16•]. Investigators stored the drone at a fire station in a community selected for restricted airspace, extensive delay in EMS response times, and a heavy population in the summer that could benefit from a drone system.…”

“…Investigators stored the drone at a fire station in a community selected for restricted airspace, extensive delay in EMS response times, and a heavy population in the summer that could benefit from a drone system. The drone was dispatched for out of line of sight locations where prior OHCAs had occurred and drone arrival time to OHCAs sites was significantly less compared to EMS arrival times (5.21 min vs. 22 min, p < 0.001) [16•]. Investigators concluded that autonomous transport and delivery of AED with drones were practical and feasible.…”