Cardiac arrest & resuscitation
The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence and survival outcomes of emergency medical service (EMS)-witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
Authors' conclusion
Unlike the reported findings in non-EMS-witnessed OHCA populations, changes during the COVID-19 pandemic did not influence incidence or survival outcomes in EMS-witnessed OHCA.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with EMS-witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) of medical aetiology, Victoria, Australia
- Participants
- 5,034 adults
- Comparison
- COVID-19 period vs historical comparator period
- COVID-19 periodn = 1,058
- Comparator periodn = 3,976reference
- Outcome
- Incidence and survival to hospital discharge of EMS-witnessed OHCA
Methodological detailshistorical comparator period
- Historical comparator period
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
COVID-19 period vs Comparator periodEstimate (95% CI)P value
Incidence
IRR 1.06(0.97–1.17)
P = 0.19Survival to hospital discharge
adjusted OR 1.02(0.74–1.42)
P = 0.90Further findings
Process of care and arrest characteristics
- COVID-19 period: longer EMS response times, fewer public location arrests, more mechanical CPR and laryngeal mask airways
- all p < 0.05
Original publication
The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence and survival outcomes of EMS-witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Resuscitation. Published 17 March 2023. doi:10.
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