Training Police in CPR Reduces Response Times and Improves Outcomes

For patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), response time is strongly correlated with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival. In 2009, Zurich, Switzerland trained police in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and equipped patrol cars with automated external defibrillators and semiautomated respirators.

These authors retrospectively examined outcomes during the 5 years before and 5 years after the intervention. Initial training and equipment costs were US$347,000, and annual maintenance cost US$37,000 for a police force of roughly 1500.

Over the 10-year study period, nearly 1400 patients had OHCA. After the intervention, police initiated 30% of resuscitations. Median time to initiation of resuscitation was significa…