A Robust Educational Initiative for EMS Clinicians Focusing on Pit-Crew CPR Improves Neurologically Intact Survival

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether the implementation of a region-wide pit-crew cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) initiative was associated with improved survival to hospital discharge with good neurological function among adults with non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in a heterogenous, multi-agency emergency medical services (EMS) system in south-central Connecticut. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, before-and-after observational study using the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES). The pit-crew CPR intervention, comprising structured didactic and hands-on simulation-based training was delivered across 27 EMS agencies from September 28, 2021 through August 2, 2022. The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge with good neurological function (Cerebral Performance Category 1-2). Secondary outcomes included survival to hospital discharge and sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). We performed an interrupted time series analysis using the beginning of our intervention (September 28, 2021) as the interruption to model. Multivariable logistic regression models were adjusted for age, sex, race, shockable initial rhythm, witnessed arrest, arrest location, and bystander CPR. RESULTS: A total of 1,917 adult non-traumatic OHCA patients (922 pre-intervention; 995 post-intervention) were resuscitated by EMS clinicians in the study period. In progression since intervention, there was a significant increase in neurologically intact survival per 4-month interval (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.44), suggesting a gradual improvement in outcomes over time after protocol implementation. At intervention start, there was a significant increase in ROSC (aOR 1.41; 95% CI, 1.1-1.81). There was no change in survival to hospital discharge prior to the intervention, at the time of the intervention, or following the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a pit-crew CPR model across a heterogenous, multi-agency EMS system was associated with a significant gradual increase in neurologically intact survival in the post-intervention period, as well as a significant immediate improvement in ROSC at the time of protocol implementation. These findings support structured, team-based resuscitation as a feasible and effective strategy to improve cardiac arrest outcomes within existing EMS systems.