Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains a time-critical emergency where early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and timely defibrillation using an automated external defibrillator (AED) are key to improving survival and neurological outcomes. Although Taipei has implemented dispatch-assisted CPR, delays remain between arrest recognition and AED application due to manpower and policy limitations. International guidelines, including the Global Resuscitation Alliance's ten steps to improve OHCA outcomes, recommend involving police as first responders. Prior studies from the United States and Switzerland demonstrate that police often arrive before emergency medical services (EMS), underscoring their potential role in reducing response times. However, police have not been officially included in OHCA dispatch systems in any region of Taiwan. This study aims to evaluate the willingness of police officers in New Taipei City to participate in prehospital resuscitation through a structured questionnaire. The survey also explores perceived facilitators and barriers to involvement. Findings will inform future training programs and strategies to promote police integration into prehospital emergency response systems, with the ultimate goal of improving OHCA survival rates.
For patients with emergency cardiopulmonary arrest before arriving at the hospital, every second counts, especially good early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, CPR) and early use of automated external defibrillator (Automated External Defibrillator, referred to as AED), which can increase the patient's recovery of autonomous cardiopulmonary opportunity to cycle. After the introduction of online Dispatch-assisted CPR from Taipei, the survival rate and the rate of discharge with good neurology improved. Unfortunately, due to the limitations of manpower space and policies, the proportion and time from the successful identification of cardiopulmonary arrest to the first use of public electric shock is still relatively long. Ten guidelines recommended by the Global Resuscitation Alliance to improve survival for patients with pre-hospital cardiac arrest also recommend including police as first responders. Through more intensive manpower distribution, response times and shock times can be reduced, and these advances have also successfully improved survival rates. According to studies in the United States and Switzerland in 2002 and 2017, respectively, the police arrived at the scene faster than the emergency medical technician, which is also in line with the purpose of reducing reaction time and improving the survival rate of patients. No county or city in Taiwan has officially included the police in the OHCA dispatch. This study uses a questionnaire survey to understand the New Taipei City police's willingness to participate in the first aid and resuscitation of patients with cardiopulmonary arrest before hospitalization. At the same time, we will further analyze and understand the assistance and resistance of participating in emergency resuscitation. After the study is completed, courses such as education and training will be designed according to the results, and efforts will be made to reduce resistance, so that the police can be more involved in pre-hospital emergency resuscitation, in order to further improve the survival chances of patients with pre-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
4,867
The questionnaire is designed to collect the following information: demographic data (including gender, age, education level, marital status, place of residence, and whether the respondent is a healthcare provider), the respondent's status of basic life support (BLS) training, attitudes and willingness to use an automated external defibrillator (AED), and their knowledge of emergency medical service regulations.
Far Eastern Memorinal Hospital
New Taipei City, Taiwan
Willingness to Perform CPR and Use an AED at the Scene of an Emergency
This outcome assesses whether participants are willing to go to the scene of an emergency under the command of the duty center to directly perform CPR and use AED to help patients. Options include: Yes; No.
Time frame: Baseline
Willingness to Receive AED Location Notification and Assist in Delivery and Use
This outcome assesses whether participants are willing to receive alerts from the dispatch center about nearby AED locations and assist in delivering the AED to the emergency scene and using it. Options include: Yes; No.
Time frame: Baseline
Sex
This outcome evaluates responses to the question: "Gender." Options include: Male; Female.
Time frame: Baseline
Year of Birth
This outcome collects data on the participant's year of birth. This is a numerical, free-text entry used to assess age distribution.
Time frame: Baseline
Education Level
This outcome evaluates participants' highest attained level of education. Options include: High school; College or vocational school; Master's degree; Doctoral degree.
Time frame: Baseline
Marital Status
This outcome assesses the participant's marital status. Options include: Single; Married; Divorced.
Time frame: Baseline
Years of Service
This outcome collects data on the participant's length of service. Participants are asked to specify their years of service in both administrative and frontline (field) positions.
Time frame: Baseline
Co-residence with Elderly
This outcome evaluates whether participants live with adults aged 65 or older. Options include: Yes - number of people; No.
Time frame: Baseline
Awareness of AED
This outcome assesses whether participants have heard of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Options include: Yes; No.
Time frame: Baseline
Ability to Identify AED in Public
This outcome investigates whether participants believe they can identify an AED in a public setting. Options include: Yes; No.
Time frame: Baseline
Willingness to Use CPR + AED in Emergencies
This outcome evaluates the participant's willingness to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use an AED during emergencies. Options include: Yes; No.
Time frame: Baseline
Concerns About Performing CPR + AED (Multiple Selection)
This outcome identifies concerns participants may have about performing CPR and using an AED. Options include: 1. Concern about legal or medical liability 2. Concern about lack of skills causing harm 3. Never seen an AED 4. Belief that only trained personnel should use AEDs 5. Other (please specify)
Time frame: Baseline
Confidence in Performing CPR
This outcome evaluates whether participants feel confident in their ability to perform CPR. Options include: Yes; No.
Time frame: Baseline
Confidence in Using AED
This outcome evaluates whether participants feel confident in their ability to use an AED. Options include: Yes; No.
Time frame: Baseline
Belief in Ability to Accurately Perform CPR
This outcome assesses whether participants believe they can accurately perform CPR. Options include: Yes; No.
Time frame: Baseline
Belief in Ability to Accurately Use AED
This outcome assesses whether participants believe they can accurately use an AED. Options include: Yes; No.
Time frame: Baseline
Previous Training in CPR + AED
This outcome assesses whether the participant has ever received training related to CPR and AED use. Options include: Yes; No.
Time frame: Baseline
Timing of Most Recent CPR + AED Training
This outcome evaluates the recency of the participant's latest CPR and AED training. Options include: 1. Within the past 6 months 2. Between 6 months and 1 year 3. More than 1 year ago 4. Never received training
Time frame: Baseline
Type and Duration of Last Training
This outcome assesses the format and total duration (in hours) of the participant's most recent CPR + AED training. Options include: 1. In-person training 2. Online training 3. Blended (online + in-person) Total training hours: (open entry)
Time frame: Baseline
Perceived Eligibility to Use AED
This outcome evaluates who participants believe is eligible to use an AED. Options include: 1. Medical personnel 2. Emergency medical responders 3. Staff at AED-installed locations 4. Anyone capable of using it 5. Not sure
Time frame: Baseline
Willingness to Use CPR + AED on Strangers
This outcome evaluates participants' willingness to perform CPR and use an AED on strangers. Options include: Yes; No.
Time frame: Baseline
Reasons for Unwillingness to Perform CPR + AED on Strangers (Multiple Selection)
This outcome identifies reasons why participants may be unwilling to assist strangers. Options include: 1. Concern about legal or medical liability 2. Concern about lack of skills causing harm 3. Belief AEDs should be used only by trained personnel 4. Unfamiliar with CPR or AED 5. Prefer to assist only family or friends 6. Concern about hygiene or infectious diseases 7. Other (please specify)
Time frame: Baseline
Belief that the Public Should Learn CPR + AED
This outcome assesses whether participants believe all citizens should be trained in CPR and AED use. Options include: Yes; No; Other (please specify).
Time frame: Baseline
Willingness to Attend Free CPR + AED Course
This outcome evaluates whether participants are willing to attend a free CPR and AED training course. Options include: Yes; No.
Time frame: Baseline
Willingness to Spend Time on Free CPR + AED Course
This outcome assesses how much time participants are willing to spend attending a free CPR + AED course. Options include: 1. Less than 1 hour 2. 1 to 2 hours 3. 2 to 3 hours 4. 3 to 4 hours 5. More than 4 hours
Time frame: Baseline
Main Reason for Not Attending Free CPR + AED Course
This outcome identifies the main reason participants are not willing to attend a free CPR and AED course. Options include: 1. I don't need it 2. I have a full schedule 3. I already receive regular CPR + AED training 4. Other (please specify)
Time frame: Baseline
Awareness of Good Samaritan Law
This outcome evaluates whether participants have heard of the Good Samaritan Law. Options include: Yes; No.
Time frame: Baseline
Impact of Good Samaritan Law on Willingness to Perform CPR + AED
This outcome evaluates whether knowledge of the Good Samaritan Law increases participants' willingness to perform CPR and use an AED. Options include: Yes; No.
Time frame: Baseline
Reasons for Unwillingness to Deliver and Use an AED (Multiple Selection)
This outcome identifies the reasons why participants may be unwilling to deliver and use an AED during an emergency. Options include: 1. Concern about legal or medical liability 2. Concern about lack of skills causing further harm 3. Belief that AEDs should only be used by trained emergency responders 4. I have never seen an AED 5. I would prefer to use it only on family or friends 6. I believe it is the fire department's responsibility 7. I do not want to increase my workload
Time frame: Baseline
Incentives That May Increase Willingness to Deliver and Use an AED (Multiple Selection)
This outcome evaluates potential incentives that could increase participants' willingness to deliver an AED to the scene and use it. Options include: 1. Comprehensive education and training 2. Legal or medical liability exemption 3. Administrative rewards (e.g., commendation or merit award) if the patient recovers and is discharged 4. Monetary rewards if the patient recovers and is discharged 5. Other (please specify)
Time frame: Baseline
Reasons for Unwillingness to Perform CPR and Use an AED at the Scene (Multiple Selection)
This outcome identifies the reasons why participants may be unwilling to perform CPR or use an AED at the scene of an emergency. Options include: 1. Concern about legal or medical liability 2. Concern about insufficient skills causing harm 3. Belief that CPR should only be performed by trained emergency personnel 4. I do not know how to perform CPR 5. I would prefer to assist only family or friends 6. I believe this is the fire department's responsibility 7. I do not want to increase my workload
Time frame: Baseline
Incentives That May Increase Willingness to Perform CPR and Use an AED at the Scene (Multiple Selection)
This outcome evaluates potential factors that may increase participants' willingness to perform CPR and use an AED at the scene of an emergency. Options include: 1. Comprehensive education and training 2. Legal or medical liability exemption 3. Administrative rewards (e.g., commendation or merit award) if the patient recovers and is discharged 4. Monetary rewards if the patient recovers and is discharged 5. Other (please specify)
Time frame: Baseline
Perceived Effectiveness of Police Administering CPR and AED Before EMS Arrival
This outcome assesses whether participants believe that police officers performing CPR and using an AED before the fire department or EMS arrives can help the patient. Options include: 1. Yes, I believe it can help 2. No, I do not believe it can help
Time frame: Baseline
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.