• K S Chew, Z Mohd Idzwan, N A R Nik Hishamuddun, W A Wan Aasim, and J Kamaruddin.
• Emergency Medicine Department, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Malaysia. cksheng74@yahoo.com
• Singap Med J. 2008 Aug 1;49(8):636-9.

IntroductionBystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) serves as a vital link to improve the chance of survival among the out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHA) patients. The frequency of bystander CPR in Malaysia is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to find out how frequently bystander CPR was performed among OHA patients with CPR performed at the Emergency Department (ED), Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM), prior to their arrival to the department.MethodsIn this one-year observational study, data was collected from cases of CPR performed in ED, HUSM. In the OHA category, a subanalysis was further performed to look into the frequency and effects of bystander CPR on achieving return of spontaneous circulation and survival to hospital admission. The categorical data collected was analysed using chi-square test or Fisher-exact test.ResultsOut of a total of 23 OHA patients that had CPR performed on arrival at the ED, HUSM, from March 2005 to March 2006, only two cases (8.7 percent) had bystander CPR performed. None of these two cases achieved return of spontaneous circulation.ConclusionAlthough this study has many limitations, it does indicate that the frequency of bystander CPR is dismally low in our community and the mere fact that bystander CPR was reported to be done does not seem to translate into a higher chance of survival to admission. The quality and effectiveness of the technique is equally important.

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