Telephone Assisted CPR

Ottawa Paramedic Service

Experiences to Date

Regional Heart Saver Symposium

November 5, 2005Presented by : Gintaras(Gint)Nagys

BackgroundEarly CPR is the first link in the “Chain of Survival”

Increases the effectiveness of other community based programs, such as PAD and CPR programs

Implementation Implemented in April 2004. All Communications officers in Ottawa receive training.

Protocols for:

1. Adult/Child/Infant 2. Choking- Conscious3. CPR Unconscious4. Defined script for each is used.

On average the Paramedic Communications Centre receives approx. 770 Vital Signs Absent (VSA) calls per year.

Non verified totals of approx. 30 % acceptance when offered by Communications Officers

Implementation

While empirical data is being developed, several documented success stories exist where early CPR, in combination with improving response times and ALS techniques have made a difference.

Hindrances to telephone assisted CPR observed include:

•proximity/access to patient •difficulty in confirming vital signs absent•inability or unwillingness to perform due to emotional distress

Results

Making a difference in the community

Future Directions

Integration of protocols directly into the computer support systems

On going training of the public to continue to increase the awareness and importance of early CPR

Monitoring of telephone assisted CPR to enhance effectiveness

Questions?