Aim
The organisation introduced 41 Lucas-2 mechanical CPR devices in April 2014 as part of the Paramedicine tool kit. Analysis of Survival to discharge rates revealed that the organisation was significantly below the UK average (9.1%) at 4.32% with ROSC rates were averaging 18%. The aim of this evaluative study was to compare ROSC rates and survival at discharge(STD) between manual CPR and mechanical CPR devices used by the organisation to assess the impact on patient care.
Methods:
Local cardiac arrest registry of non-identifiable data was collated retrospectively between 01/04/14–31/03/17 and categorised according toLucas-2 usage, age, gender and region against specific pre-hospital care guidelines.

Results:
Eligible patients(N=8095) of which 22%(N=1788) were treated with a Lucas-2 device. Female Lucas-2 population(N=555) ROSC Rate 25.59% STD = 1.50%. Manual CPR population(N=2458) ROSC Rate 21.89% STD = 3.78% Male Lucas-2 population(N=1232) ROSC rate 21.83% STD = 4.34% Manual CPR population(N=3796) ROSC rate 23.01% STD =6.62% SPC analysis of Male Lucas-2 population highlighted a ROSC step change. 01/04/14-31/05/15 Av.15.089 LCL: 0.00% UCL: 33.24% 01/06/15-31/03/17 Av.25.854% LCL: 3.37% UCL: 43.97%. Utstein ROSC Lucas all genders (n=218) 14/15 (n=49) Utstein ROSC (n=9) 19.56% STD (n=2) 4.34% 15/16 (n=62) Utsein ROSC (20) 32.25% STD (n=6) 9.67% 16/17 (n=110) Utstein ROSC (n=41) 37.27 % STD (n=10) 9.09% outcomes in the males are higher than in the females and have a consistent downwards curve through the elderly age groups

Conclusion
These results reflect previous national UK findings. There is a clear discrepancy within the results identifying higher ROSC rates in certain age and gender groups using the Lucas-2 device requiring further investigation. Utstein STD has doubled with changes in organisation practice. With limited resources available to the organisation and geographically challenging environment LUCAS-2 is an appropriate aid to the Paramedicine toolkit supplying consistent hands-off CPR.

An evaluative study into the effect of mechanical resuscitation in Cardiac Arrest within a regional ambulance service within the United Kingdom.