Purpose:

Accordingly to the EU’s Health Regulatory Framework, the European Emergency Number (112) has been instituted in the city of Trieste since 4th April 2017, possibly leading to changes in the response of the out of hospital emergency system. Aim of the our study is to compare OHCA data between one year before and  year after 112 activation.

Materials and Methods:

We analyzed OHCA data collected in the Italian Registry for Cardiac Arrest (RIAC) database by EMS of Trieste between April 4th, 2016, to April 3rd, 2018. Chi-squared test was used to compare data. A P value of < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results:

Between Pre-112 (208 pt) (A) and Post-112 (206 pt) (B) group, mean age was 80 yo (69-87 (A), 68-88 (B), p=0,74); male sex was slightly predominant in both groups (59,61% vs 55.34%, p=0,48). Incidence of witnessed OHCA was similar (67,78% vs 65,53%, p=0,67). On-line CPR improved after 112 institution (16,34% vs 44,66%, p=<0,001) as the bystander CPR (21,15% vs 50,48%, P=<0,001). Time from dispatch to arrival was 10 minutes mean for both groups (7-13 vs 8-14, p=0,057); when adding to group (B) the time of call processing by the 112 (90 seconds mean according to official data), a difference between the two groups appears (10 vs 11,5, p<0.001). The presentation rythm was shockable in 33 cases (A) vs 30 (B) (15.86%  vs 14.56%, p=0.78).  Time to CPR withdrawal was 37 minutes (A, 27,5-50’) vs 34 minutes (B, 24,5-47’, p=0,03). 25  attempts of resuscitations resulted in ROSC in both groups (12,01% vs 12,13%, p=1,0).

Conclusions:

112 brought a statistically significative improvement in on-line-CPR with higher incidence of bystander CPR, but also an increasing in intervention time by EMS. Nevertheless, rate of ROSC still remains similar.

1 - Impact of European Emergency Number (112) in out of hospital Cardiac Arrest: Trieste experience