1
|
Gamberini L, Del Giudice D, Tartaglione M, Allegri D, Coniglio C, Pastori A, Gordini G, Semeraro F. Logistic and cognitive-emotional barriers experienced by first responders when alarmed to get dispatched to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest events: a region-wide survey. Intern Emerg Med 2024; 19:813-822. [PMID: 38123905 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-023-03487-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a major public health concern with low survival rates. First responders (FRs) and public access defibrillation (PAD) programs can significantly improve survival, although barriers to response activation persist. The Emilia Romagna region in Italy has introduced a new system, the DAE RespondER App, to improve the efficiency of FR dispatch in response to OHCA. The study aimed to evaluate the association between different logistic factors, FRs' perceptions, and their decision to accept or decline dispatch to an OHCA scene using the DAE RespondER App. A cross-sectional web survey was conducted, querying 14,518 registered FRs using the DAE RespondER app in Emilia Romagna. The survey explored logistic and cognitive-emotional perceptions towards barriers in responding to OHCAs. Statistical analysis was conducted, with responses adjusted using non-response weights. 4,644 responses were obtained (32.0% response rate). Among these, 1,824 (39.3%) had received at least one dispatch request in the past year. Multivariable logistic regression showed that being male, having previous experience with OHCA situations, and having an automated external defibrillator (AED) available at the moment of the call were associated with a higher probability of accepting the dispatch. Regarding FRs' perceptions, logistic obstacles were associated with mission rejection, while higher scores in cognitive-emotional obstacles were associated with acceptance. The study suggests that both logistical and cognitive-emotional factors are associated with FRs' decision to accept a dispatch. Addressing these barriers and further refining the DAE RespondER App can enhance the effectiveness of PAD programs, potentially improving survival rates for OHCA. The insights from this study can guide the development of interventions to improve FR participation and enhance overall OHCA response systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Gamberini
- Department of Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Prehospital Emergency, Ospedale Maggiore Carlo Alberto Pizzardi, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Marco Tartaglione
- Department of Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Prehospital Emergency, Ospedale Maggiore Carlo Alberto Pizzardi, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Davide Allegri
- Department of Clinical Governance and Quality, Bologna Local Healthcare Authority, Bologna, Italy
| | - Carlo Coniglio
- Department of Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Prehospital Emergency, Ospedale Maggiore Carlo Alberto Pizzardi, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonio Pastori
- Settore Assistenza Ospedaliera, Direzione Generale Cura Della Persona, Salute E Welfare, Assessorato Politiche Per La Salute, Regione Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Gordini
- Department of Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Prehospital Emergency, Ospedale Maggiore Carlo Alberto Pizzardi, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federico Semeraro
- Department of Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Prehospital Emergency, Ospedale Maggiore Carlo Alberto Pizzardi, Bologna, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Allert C, Nilsson B, Svensson A, Andersson EK. Voluntary first responders' experiences of being dispatched to suspected out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in rural areas: an interview study. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2024; 24:157. [PMID: 38486144 PMCID: PMC10938808 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-024-03826-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a leading cause of death, and survival outcomes vary across countries and regions. To improve survival, the European Resuscitation Council Guidelines encourage the implementation of technologies like smartphone applications to alert voluntary first responders (VFRs) who are near a suspected OHCA. VFRs are of great importance in the ´chain of survival´, but there is still a lack of knowledge about their experiences; especially of those operating in rural areas. Understanding those experiences is crucial in developing appropriate interventions to train, encourage, and safeguard VFRs in their mission. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe VFRs´ experiences of being dispatched to suspected OHCA in rural areas. METHODS The study used an inductive design. The data were collected using individual interviews with 16 VFRs and analysed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS The results are presented in terms of six generic categories ''Being motivated and prepared'', ''Having strategies to undertake the mission'', ''Collaborating with others'', ''Being ethically aware'', ''Supporting the family members'', and ''Coping with the mission'', which formed the basis of the main category 'Desire to save lives and help others'. The findings showed that VFRs had a genuine desire to contribute to save lives in this rural area. Regardless of the circumstances, they were prepared to leave everything and act to the best for the victim and their family members. In theirs' missions they collaborated with others at the scene and were guided by ethics while they acted in complex circumstances. CONCLUSIONS VFRs dispatched in rural areas express a desire to save lives. In their missions, they acted in complex situations and experienced both emotional and ethical challenges. The design, implementation, and evaluation of support interventions directed at VFRs should be prioritised, especially in rural areas, as it can contribute to more people becoming and remaining VFRs, which in turn could contribute to sustainable development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Allert
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, University Lecturer Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Linnaeus University, 392 31, Växjö/Kalmar, Sweden.
- Centre of Interprofessional Collaboration Within Emergency Care (CICE), Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden.
| | - Bengt Nilsson
- Department of Forestry and Wood Technology, Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden
- Centre of Interprofessional Collaboration Within Emergency Care (CICE), Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden
- Agunnaryd Voluntary Fire Brigade, Ljungby, Sweden
| | - Anders Svensson
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, University Lecturer Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Linnaeus University, 392 31, Växjö/Kalmar, Sweden
- Centre of Interprofessional Collaboration Within Emergency Care (CICE), Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden
- Department of Ambulance Service, Region Kronoberg, Växjö, Sweden
| | - Ewa K Andersson
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, University Lecturer Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Linnaeus University, 392 31, Växjö/Kalmar, Sweden
- Centre of Interprofessional Collaboration Within Emergency Care (CICE), Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bray JE, Ong MEH. Beyond numbers: The importance of detailing systems of care when reporting data on the emergency response systems for cardiac arrest. Resuscitation 2024; 195:110117. [PMID: 38220064 DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2024.110117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Janet E Bray
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Australia; Prehospital, Resuscitation and Emergency Care Research Unit, Curtin University, Australia.
| | - Marcus E H Ong
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Singapore General Hospital Health Services and Systems Research, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Sørensen OB, Milling L, Laerkner E, Mikkelsen S, Bruun H. Professional prehospital clinicians' experiences of ethical challenges associated with the collaboration with organised voluntary first responders: a qualitative study. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med 2023; 31:79. [PMID: 37964364 PMCID: PMC10644536 DOI: 10.1186/s13049-023-01147-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Volunteer First Responders are used worldwide. In the Region of Southern Denmark, two types of programs have been established. One of these programs consists of voluntary responders without any requirements of education or training who are summoned to prehospital cardiac arrests. The other type of program is established primarily in the rural areas of the region and consists of volunteers with some mandatory education in first aid. These volunteers are summoned to all urgent cases along with the ambulances. Cooperation between professional healthcare workers and nonprofessionals summoned through official channels may be challenging. This study aimed to explore prehospital clinicians' experiences of ethical challenges in cooperation with volunteer first responders. METHODS We conducted 16 semi-structured interviews at four different ambulance stations in the Region of Southern Denmark. Five emergency physicians and 11 emergency medical technicians/paramedics were interviewed. The interviews were transcribed, and the data were analysed using systematic text condensation. RESULTS The study's 16 interviews resulted in the identification of some specific categories that challenged the cooperation between the two parties. We identified three main categories: 1. Beneficence, the act of doing good, 2. The risk of harming patients' autonomy 3. Non-maleficence, which is the obligation not to inflict harm on others. CONCLUSION This study provides an in-depth insight into the ethical challenges between prehospital clinicians and voluntary first responders from the perspective of the prehospital clinicians. Both programs are considered to have value but only when treating patients with cardiac arrest. Our study highlights potential areas of improvement in the two Danish voluntary programs in their current form.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Beierholm Sørensen
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000, Odense, Denmark
- The Prehospital Research Unit, Region of Southern Denmark, Odense University Hospital, 5000, Odense, Denmark
| | - Louise Milling
- The Prehospital Research Unit, Region of Southern Denmark, Odense University Hospital, 5000, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Cardiology, Nord Zealand Hospital, 3400, Hillerød, Denmark
| | - Eva Laerkner
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Odense University Hospital, 5000, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, Research Unit in Anesthesiology, University of Southern Denmark, 5000, Odense, Denmark
| | - Søren Mikkelsen
- The Prehospital Research Unit, Region of Southern Denmark, Odense University Hospital, 5000, Odense, Denmark.
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000, Odense, Denmark.
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Odense University Hospital, 5000, Odense, Denmark.
| | - Henriette Bruun
- The Prehospital Research Unit, Region of Southern Denmark, Odense University Hospital, 5000, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000, Odense, Denmark
- Psychiatric Department Middelfart, Mental Health Services in the Region of Southern Denmark, 5500, Middelfart, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kragh AR, Grabmayr AJ, Tjørnhøj-Thomsen T, Zinckernagel L, Gregers MCT, Andelius LC, Christensen AK, Kjærgaard J, Folke F, Malta Hansen C. Volunteer responder provision of support to relatives of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients: a qualitative study. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e071220. [PMID: 36944472 PMCID: PMC10032384 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-071220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Smartphone dispatch of volunteer responders for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is implemented worldwide. While basic life support courses prepare participants to provide CPR, the courses rarely address the possibility of meeting a family member or relative in crisis. This study aimed to examine volunteer responders' provision of support to relatives of cardiac arrest patients and how relatives experienced the interaction with volunteer responders. DESIGN In this qualitative study, we conducted 16 semistructured interviews with volunteer responders and relatives of cardiac arrest patients. SETTING Interviews were conducted face to face and by video and recorded and transcribed verbatim. PARTICIPANTS Volunteer responders dispatched to cardiac arrests and relatives of cardiac arrest patients were included in the study. Participants were included from all five regions of Denmark. RESULTS A thematic analysis was performed with inspiration from Braun and Clarke. We identified three themes: (1) relatives' experiences of immediate relief at arrival of assistance, (2) volunteer responders' assessment of relatives' needs and (3) the advantage of being healthcare educated. CONCLUSIONS Relatives to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients benefited from volunteer responders' presence and support and experienced the mere presence of volunteer responders as supportive. Healthcare-educated volunteer responders felt confident and skilled to provide care for relatives, while some non-healthcare-educated volunteer responders felt they lacked the proper training and knowledge to provide emotional support for relatives. Future basic life support courses should include a lesson on how to provide emotional support to relatives of cardiac arrest patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Rolin Kragh
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Emergency Medical Services, Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne Juul Grabmayr
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Emergency Medical Services, Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tine Tjørnhøj-Thomsen
- University of Southern Denmark, National Institute of Public Health, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Mads Christian Tofte Gregers
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Emergency Medical Services, Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Jesper Kjærgaard
- Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Fredrik Folke
- Department of Emergency Medical Services, Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Cardiology, Gentofte University Hospital, Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Carolina Malta Hansen
- Department of Emergency Medical Services, Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Cardiology, Gentofte University Hospital, Hellerup, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Richardson S. Model of moral agency that encompasses nurses' and midwives' perceptions of off-duty emergency response. Evid Based Nurs 2023; 26:35. [PMID: 36270796 DOI: 10.1136/ebnurs-2022-103545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Richardson
- Faculty of Health, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
|