Dispatcher-Directed Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Improves Survival in Pediatric Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

In addition to sending help, emergency medical dispatchers provide prearrival instructions for the lay public. Researchers used a nationwide population-based database of all out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in Japan from 2004 through 2008 to analyze the effect of dispatcher assistance on 1-month survival and neurological outcomes in pediatric patients (age, <20 years).

Among 1780 pediatric patients with witnessed collapse, bystanders performed chest compressions in 40% and mouth-to-mouth ventilation in 26%. Dispatchers provided cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instructions in 28% of cases. Dispatcher assistance was associated with significantly higher rates of bystander-performed chest compressions and ventilations (adjusted odds ratios, 6…