IntroductionOut-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a common, life-threatening event encountered routinely by first responders, including police, fire and emergency medical services (EMS). Current ...literature suggests that there is significant regional variation in outcomes, some of which may be related to modifiable factors. Yet, there is a persistent knowledge gap regarding strategies to guide quality improvement efforts in OHCA care and, by extension, survival. The Enhancing Prehospital Outcomes for Cardiac Arrest (EPOC) study aims to fill these gaps and to improve outcomes.Methods and analysisThis mixed-methods study includes three aims. In aim I, we will define variation in OHCA survival to the emergency department (ED) among EMS agencies that participate in the Michigan Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES) in order to sample EMS agencies with high-survival and low-survival outcomes. In aim II, we will conduct site visits to emergency medical systems—including 911/dispatch, police, non-transport fire, and EMS agencies—in approximately eight high-survival and low-survival communities identified in aim I. At each site, key informant interviews and a multidisciplinary focus group will identify themes associated with high OHCA survival. Transcripts will be coded using a structured codebook and analysed through thematic analysis. Results from aims I and II will inform the development of a survey instrument in aim III that will be administered to all EMS agencies in Michigan. This survey will test the generalisability of factors associated with increased OHCA survival in the qualitative work to ultimately build an EPOC Toolkit which will be distributed to a broad range of stakeholders as a practical ‘how-to’ guide to improve outcomes.Ethics and disseminationThe EPOC study was deemed exempt by the University of Michigan Institutional Review Board. Findings will be compiled in an ‘EPOC Toolkit’ and disseminated in the USA through partnerships including, but not limited to, policymakers, EMS leadership and health departments.
Background:
Community-engaged research engages the community in a collaborative manner to improve the local setting and has been increasingly applied to health services research. These complex ...studies require collaboration and team building among clinical experts, methodologists, and community stakeholders, yet few examples of this process have been published.
Aim:
Through a study of community emergency medical services, our aim was to understand team building among content experts and methodologists to advance the framework for adaptive community-engaged research.
Methods:
We collected process field notes and transcripts from the project kick-off meetings and analyzed the data using an immersion/crystallization process, which is an exploratory qualitative analysis characterized by continual review of the data collected. All 25 members of the study’s research team, who are both local to Michigan and reside out-of-state, were invited to attend.
Results:
We describe the process of the kick-off event for this community-engaged study and report major themes: collaborating throughout each stage of the kick-off meeting, building trusting relationships by challenging each other’s perspectives and sharing expertise, and gaining shared experiences of learning and understanding of study content and goals.
Conclusion:
Team-building in community engaged health research requires thoughtful effort, and planned kick-off meeting can be a useful strategy to build a shared vision among content experts and methodologists.
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Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, ODKLJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Previous research indicates that low-income individuals often struggle to consume the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables (F&V). LINK Up Illinois is a farmers' market incentive programme that ...aims to increase F&V consumption among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients by improving access to and affordability of locally grown foods. The present research aimed to identify barriers to F&V consumption that exist among users of the LINK Up Illinois programme.
Cross-sectional.
Farmers' markets in Chicago, Springfield, Northbrook, Woodstock, Aurora and Urbana, IL.
In 2016, a volunteer sample of 140 LINK Up Illinois users (mean age 42·5 years; 81·7 % female; 28·7 % African American; 44·0 % obese) completed a survey at participating farmers' markets across the state. Information on demographics, food shopping behaviours, programme satisfaction, barriers to F&V consumption and frequency of F&V consumption was collected and examined.
Approximately 23 % of survey participants reported consuming F&V ≥3 times/d. The barriers to F&V consumption most often reported by survey participants were the cost of F&V (29·5 %), spoilage (18·6 %), knowing how to cook F&V (8·7 %) and not thinking about F&V when hungry (8·6 %). Results from multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models suggested that reporting one or more barriers was associated with reduced odds of consuming vegetables ≥3 times/d, but not fruits.
Cost, spoilage and knowledge of cooking are key barriers to F&V consumption that exist among LINK Up Illinois users. Strategies are needed to mitigate these barriers and increase F&V consumption in this population.
Abstract only Introduction: Emergency medical system factors that improve out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survival have not been well elucidated. This study explores factors important to ...decisions to transport patients before obtaining sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in the field throughout the OHCA system of care. Choosing to treat versus transport is a complex decision and reflects various aspects of EMS care that may differ across agencies at different levels of performance. Methods: This sequential mixed-methods study used data from the Michigan Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (MI-CARES) for the years 2014—2017 to identify variation in OHCA outcomes across emergency medical services (EMS) agencies. We then sampled emergency medical stakeholders—dispatch, fire, police, EMS, and receiving emergency departments (EDs)—across nine EMS system sites of varied urbanicity: four high-survival, two intermediate-survival, and three low-survival based on a primary outcome of sustained ROSC with pulse upon ED arrival. To qualitatively explore variations in OHCA survival, we conducted key informant and focus group interviews at each site. Qualitative data were analyzed through combined rapid and rigorous analysis, with a focus on treat versus transport decisions in the Advanced Care link of the “chain of survival” within a broader system of care framework. Results: Key factors that weighed into OHCA treatment versus transport decisions pre-ROSC across all sites included: clearly defined roles and protocols, on-scene decision-making authority, distance to the hospital, level of training and expertise, resource availability with regard to personnel and equipment, and payment and reimbursement models. Conclusions: Recognizing the critical role of each link in the “chain of survival,” this study identified key factors that impact treat versus transport decisions from the perspective of EMS stakeholders. The next phase of this work will include validating the importance of the identified factors to OHCA survival through a statewide survey of EMS agencies in Michigan. The final product will be a toolkit of best practices to improve survival across U.S. communities.
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) affects over 300,000 individuals per year in the United States with poor survival rates overall. A remarkable 5-fold difference in survival-to-hospital discharge ...rates exist across United States communities.
We conducted a study using qualitative research methods comparing the system of care across sites in Michigan communities with varying OHCA survival outcomes, as measured by return to spontaneous circulation with pulse upon emergency department arrival.
Major themes distinguishing higher performing sites were (1) working as a team, (2) devoting resources to coordination across agencies, and (3) developing a continuous quality improvement culture. These themes spanned the chain of survival framework for OHCA. By examining the unique processes, procedures, and characteristics of higher- relative to lower-performing sites, we gleaned lessons learned that appear to distinguish higher performers. The higher performing sites reported being the most collaborative, due in part to facilitation of system integration by progressive leadership that is willing to build bridges among stakeholders.
Based on the distinguishing features of higher performing sites, we provide recommendations for toolkit development to improve survival in prehospital systems of care for OHCA.
Abstract only Introduction: Early bystander initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (BCPR) is a key link in the cardiac arrest chain of survival. Prior work indicates that BCPR has a greater impact ...on survival outcomes when arrests are witnessed, and bystanders are actively prepared. This study explores the role of the emergency medical system—including dispatch, police, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS), in promoting timely bystander response during an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) event. Methods: This sequential mixed-methods study used 2014-2017 data from the Michigan Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (MI-CARES) to analyze the effect of BCPR on OHCA survival outcomes. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the effect of BCPR on sustained ROSC with pulse upon emergency department (ED) arrival and secondary outcomes. These data were supplemented with semi-structured key informant interviews and multidisciplinary focus groups conducted during site visits to 9 emergency medical systems across Michigan including dispatch, police, fire, EMS, and ED. Results: A total of 21,044 OHCA incidents met inclusion criteria. OHCA patients who received BCPR had 1.32 times higher odds of achieving ROSC with pulse upon ED arrival than those that did not after multivariable adjustment (Table 1). Qualitative data from interviews suggest that emergency medical systems can play a critical role in promoting BCPR. Several salient themes emerged across stakeholders including: 1) Preparing the community for proactive bystander response through educational campaigns; 2) Facilitating BCPR during an event through dispatch-assisted CPR and on-scene responders providing positive reinforcement to bystanders; and 3) Reinforcing the importance of performing bystander CPR to the involved community after post arrest care. Conclusion: We found that BCPR was associated with statistically significant improvements in survival outcomes compared to those that did not receive BCPR. These findings emphasize the importance of training bystanders to initiate and perform CPR, and points to engaging the emergency medical system as a leader for this initiative to improve OHCA survival across US communities.
Abstract only Introduction: EMS system factors key to improved survival for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) have not been well elucidated. This study explores factors associated with sustained ...return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in the field with pulse upon arrival to the ED-a measure of high quality of prehospital care-across the chain of survival. Methods: This sequential mixed methods study used data from the Michigan Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (MI-CARES) to evaluate variation in OHCA outcomes across EMS agencies. Sites were sampled based on geography, rurality, population density, and survival rate. We visited 1 low-, 1 middle-, and 3 high-survival EMS systems. At each site, we conducted key informant interviews with field staff, mid-level managers, and leadership from EMS, police, fire, and dispatch, as well as multidisciplinary focus groups. Transcripts were coded using a structured codebook and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: An integrated multidisciplinary approach was critical for timely OHCA care coordination across the chain of survival. Themes that emerged across all stakeholders included: 1) OHCA education and multidisciplinary training; 2) shared awareness of roles in the chain of survival and system-wide response; 4) multidisciplinary QI; and 5) leadership and initiative (Table 1). Conclusions: Recognizing the critical role of each level in the chain of survival, this study identified specific practices from EMS system stakeholders that were associated with improved survival. The next phase of this work will include validating the factors associated with increased survival identified through a statewide survey of EMS agencies in Michigan. The final product of this work will include a toolkit of best practices and an implementation guide.
Care by emergency medical service (EMS) agencies is critical for optimizing prehospital outcomes following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). We explored whether substantial differences exist in ...prehospital outcomes across EMS agencies in Michigan—specifically focusing on rates of sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) upon emergency department (ED) arrival.
Using data from Michigan Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (MI-CARES) for years 2014–2017, we calculated rates of sustained ROSC upon ED arrival across EMS agencies in Michigan. We used hierarchical logistic regression models that accounted for patient, arrest-, community-, and response-level characteristics to determine adjusted rates of sustained ROSC among EMS agencies.
A total of 103 EMS agencies and 20,897 OHCA cases were included. Average age of the cohort was 62.5 years (SD = 19.6), 39.7% were female, and 17.9% had an initial shockable rhythm due to ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. The adjusted rate of sustained ROSC upon ED arrival across all EMS agencies was 23.8% with notable variation across EMS agencies (interquartile range IQR, 20.5–29.2%). The top five EMS agencies had mean adjusted rates of sustained ROSC upon ED arrival of 42.7% (95% CI: 34.6–51.1%) while the bottom five had mean adjusted rates of 9.8% (95% CI: 7.6–12.7%).
Substantial variation in sustained ROSC upon ED arrival exists across EMS agencies in Michigan after adjusting for patient-, arrest, community-, and response-level features. Such differences suggest opportunities to identify and improve best practices in EMS agencies to advance OHCA care.
Abstract only Background: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) outcomes vary significantly across U.S. communities; however, systems of care factors that increase the likelihood of survival have not ...been well elucidated. The Enhancing Pre-Hospital Outcomes for Cardiac Arrest (EPOC) study is quantifying variation in the rate of sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) upon ED arrival across Michigan EMS agencies as a first step to identifying ‘best practices’ in prehospital OHCA care. Methods: Michigan Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES) data for the years 2014-2016 was used. EMS agencies with 5+ arrests over the study years were included in the analysis. Using mixed-effects logistic regression, we calculated each agency’s reliability-adjusted sustained ROSC upon ED arrival; these rates were standardized across patient-, community-, and arrest-level characteristics. Results: A total of 91 agencies covering >6.8 million lives met inclusion criteria. We included 14,219 OHCA patients with a mean age of 62.6, 40.0% female, and 18.2% with a shockable rhythm in the analyses. Across all agencies, the mean patient-standardized rate of sustained ROSC with pulse upon ED arrival was 25.3% (range, 6.1%-51.9%; IQR range, 18.9%-31.2%) ( Figure 1 ). There were 14 agencies with patient-standardized rates and 95% CIs that exceeded the overall mean survival rate suggesting better-than-average outcomes while 16 agencies had rates and 95% CIs that were lower than the overall mean survival rate. Conclusion: We found more than 8-fold variation in OHCA survival rates across EMS agencies in Michigan, suggesting large differences in the effectiveness of prehospital systems of care. Future qualitative work will seek to identify ‘best practices’ by further determining the role of key factors such as tele-dispatch CPR, EMS agencies, fire, and police within high performing systems.
Environmental public health (EPH) practitioners are faced with an increasing scope and scale of population health challenges. To address these challenges, the Great Lakes Public Health Training ...Collaborative developed an action learning initiative titled the EPH Inquiry Towards Communities of Practice Project to increase EPH practitioner knowledge of commonly identified EPH issues and assets, increase collective action through dialogue and shared learning, and create an EPH state action plan. Fifty-five local health department EPH governmental leaders and six facilitators participated, representing each of the six states within Health Resources and Services Administration Region V. A multicomponent evaluation, incorporating post-session satisfaction surveys, action learning discussion transcripts, post-session reflections, and follow-up interviews at 6 months were completed. Results suggested that the majority of respondents found the process was somewhat or very effective in identifying state-based needs and setting an agenda for addressing EPH issues. Participants reported value in the overall process and the need for more collective learning. All states implemented at least one recommendation in their action plans. The EPH Inquiry Towards Communities of Practice Project provided evidence that using an action-learning framework could serve as a workforce development approach to help practitioners address EPH challenges.
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Dostopno za:
BFBNIB, DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VSZLJ
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