Sensitivity of OHCA recognition in the emergency dispatch center of Subotica

Introduction: Dispatch centre plays the key role, as the first link in the survival chain by recognizing an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), good triage and accordingly, by the adequate response time of the emergency medical team. The aim of the work: analysis of the sensitivity of sudden cardiac arrest calls received at dispatch centre by the dispatcher of the Emergency Medical Service Subotica. Method: Retrospective analysis of the call receiving protocols and comparison with the medical protocols of the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Subotica, for the period from January 1st, 2016 till December 31st, 2016. Results: The total number of calls received for medical teams was 10,172,during 2016 in the EMS Subotica. In the observed period, 116 OHCA (1.14% of total calls) were confirmed by medical teams, on the field, while CPR was initiated in 110 cases (1,08% ). 68 cases of OHCA were recognized at receiving the calls by the dispatcher, that were issued as the first order of emergency, 48 OHCA were not recognized at calls, however, 16 (16/48) of the calls were issued as the first order of emergency, while the other 32 (32/48) were the second order of emergency. The Sensitivity of calls of recognizing OHCA was 58,62 - 71,41%. No results were obtained for specificity, due to the lack of data in the records. Conclusion : Dispatch centre is the most important link in the chain of care for critically ill patients. There is a need for a unique way of documenting data. Recognition of OHCA by the dispatcher should become a parameter of the measure for the quality of emergency medical assistance work

Out of hospital cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary reanimation: Our experience

INTODUCTION: The aim of this study was toanalyse frequency of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), demographics and outcomes in patients who were resuscitated by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Subotica teams in 2013. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study in which data of EMS Subotica from January1, 2013toDecember 31, 2013 , were analyzed. RESULTS: In 2013, resuscitation was attempted in 83 OHCA events. 60.2% of persons who experienced OHCA were male. The youngest patient was 26 years old, the oldest 88 years old. 67.5% of arrests occurred at home. Cardiopulmonary reanimation (CPR) was attempted in 5 patients (6%) during transport, because of diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction with ST segment elevation, to Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases in Sremska Kamenica. Average reaction time of our EMS teams was 5 minutes and 10 seconds. Month with the highest number of OHCA events was April. Ventricular fibrillation was initialrhythm in 42.2% of events, ventricular tachycardia without pulse in 6%, asystole in 42.2% and pulse less electrical activity (PEA) in 9.6%. Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was achieved in 39.8% of OHCA events. Only 6% of patients received bystander CPR. CONCLUSION: As majority of OHCA events occurs in home setting, education of community members in basic life support skills is necessary