Abstract 14922: Urban Atlas and Geographic Information Systems Can be Used to Reveal Mismatch in Automated External Defibrillators Distribution in Residential and Non-Residential Areas of Stockholm, Sweden

Introduction: Early defibrillation in OHCA increases survival. International guidelines suggest AEDs to be installed in densely populated areas and locations with many visitors. In many countries the number of AEDs in public places is increasing, but the use is still low. This may be due to long distances from OHCA to nearest AED and that AED placement does not follow the locations of public OHCA incidents. The aim of this study was to investigate if public AED distribution in urban areas of Stockholm County, Sweden follows the incident locations of public OHCA. Methods: OHCA data were obtained from the Swedish register for cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and AED data were obtained from the Swedish AED registry. All urban areas in Stockholm County were classified according to the pan-European digital mapping tool, Urban Atlas and further merged into three major classes ( residential, non-residential and other areas ). Geographic Information system (GIS) software was used to spatially join and relate public AED and public OHCA data and perform computations on relations. Results: Between 2012-01-01 and 2014-12-31 totally 804 OHCA occurred on public locations in Stockholm County and by December 2013, 1828 public AEDs were available. The public OHCA incidence was similar in residential (47,3%) and non-residential areas (43,4%) but AEDs were less present in residential areas (29,4%) compared to non-residential (68,8%). Conclusions: In conclusion, GIS and Urban Atlas revealed that AED distribution in Stockholm County does not follow incident locations of public OHCA and that AED accessibility was limited in residential areas . However public OHCA incidence was similarly distributed between residential and non-residential areas. Our findings indicate that residential areas should be considered targets for AED placement in accordance with international guidelines.