• Ming Hao Nelson Teo, Wen En Joseph Wong, Peter Chen-Yang Nikhil Daniel, Ren Hao Clement Kweh, Ren Yi Jonas Ho, Jia Hong Koh, Sieu-Hon Benjamin Leong, Junxiong Pang, and Yi-Fu Jeff Hwang.
• Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road, NUHS Tower Block Level 11, 119228, Singapore.
• Resuscitation. 2019 May 1; 138: 153-159.

AimsThe introduction of dispatcher assistance (DA) services has led to increased bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) participation rates. However, the extent to which DA improves CPR quality remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of DA in improving CPR quality among healthcare professionals and laypersons within a multi-ethnic Southeast Asian population.MethodsA parallel, randomised controlled, open label trial was performed. Four hundred and twelve participants were recruited via convenience sampling in a public location. In a simulated cardiac-arrest scenario, the participants were randomised to perform CPR with DA over the phone (DA+) or CPR without DA (DA-). The ratio of participant assignment to DA+ and DA- was 1:1. The primary outcomes were CPR compression depth, compression rate, no-flow time, complete release of pressure between compressions, and hand location. The assessment involved CPR manikins and human assessors.ResultsA larger proportion of participants in DA + achieved the correct compression rate (34.3% vs 18.1%, p < 0.001). There was no difference in the other primary outcomes. A subgroup analysis revealed that healthcare professionals in DA+ had a higher proportion of correct hand location compared to those in DA- (82.1% vs. 53.5%, p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in CPR quality among laypersons with valid CPR certification regardless of whether they received DA.ConclusionDA should be provided to laypersons without valid CPR certification, as well as healthcare professionals. The identification of gaps in the current DA protocol highlights areas where specific changes can be made to improve CPR quality.Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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