Abstract 72: Addition of Real-Time CPR Feedback Improves Immediate Outcomes for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Introduction: The 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines stated that “cardiopulmonary resuscitation prompt and feedback devices may be useful for training rescuers and may be useful as part of an overall strategy to improve the quality of CPR for actual cardiac arrests.” We sought to assess the effect of one such device on OOHCA outcomes in a large, urban setting. Methodology: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest data from two consecutive twelve-month periods was analyzed: August 1, 2010 - July 31, 2011 (control) and August 1, 2011 - July 31, 2012 (CPR feedback). During the CPR feedback period, defibrillators capable of providing real-time audible and visual CPR feedback were added to standard prehospital resuscitation care. Results: There were 850 and 748 bystander witnessed arrests of cardiac etiology in the two periods. Patient and arrest characteristics for the two groups did not differ with respect to age, gender, race, response time, bystander witnessed status, or the frequency of bystander CPR. As co...