Factors affecting layperson confidence in performing resuscitation of out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest patients in J apan

Abstract

Aim: Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation including automated external defibrillator use increases the chance of survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. However, bystanders may be distressed by witnessing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and may hesitate to initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The present study examined factors associated with layperson confidence in carrying out resuscitation of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients. Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional survey in February 2012. Laypeople were asked about background characteristics, whether they had performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation, had received cardiopulmonary resuscitation training, were aware of the location of the neighborhood automated external defibrillator, and felt confident in performing resuscitation, and their potential emotional distress if a resuscitation attempt were to prove unsuccessful. Results: Participants comprised 4,853 respondents. Of these, 2,372 (49%) had received cardiopulmonary resuscitation training, and 3,607 (74%) knew where the neighborhood automated external defibrillator was located. Confidence in performing chest compressions was reported by 2,667 (55%), confidence in performing rescue breathing by 2,498 (52%), and confidence in using an automated external defibrillator by 2,822 (58%). Potential emotional distress if a resuscitation attempt proved unsuccessful was reported by 4,247 (88%). Multivariate regression analysis showed that having carried out cardiopulmonary resuscitation, having received cardiopulmonary resuscitation training, and awareness of the neighborhood automated external defibrillator location were significantly associated with confidence in performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Conclusions: Our results suggest that more extensive cardiopulmonary resuscitation training and information regarding neighborhood automated external defibrillator locations may increase layperson confidence in initiating resuscitation.