The UK Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Outcome (OHCAO) project. Issue 10 (1st October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Perkins, Gavin D; Brace-McDonnell, Samantha J
• Other Names: author non-byline.; Whittington Andrew author non-byline.; Kaye Charlotte author non-byline.; Li Chen author non-byline.; Hee See wan author non-byline.; Hawkes Claire author non-byline.; Keohane Susie author non-byline.; Gray James author non-byline.; Siriwardena Niro author non-byline.; Andrews Rob author non-byline.; Fothergill Rachael author non-byline.; Han Kyee author non-byline.; Mackway-Jones Kevin author non-byline.; Deakin Charles author non-byline.; Pateman Jane author non-byline.; Smith Andy author non-byline.; Whitfield Richard author non-byline.; Lumley-Holmes Jenny author non-byline.; Mark Julian author non-byline.; Cooke Matthew author non-byline.; Perkins Gavin author non-byline.; Soar Jasmeet author non-byline.; O'Sullivan Judy author non-byline.; Nolan Jerry author non-byline.; Moore Fionna author non-byline.; Whiting David author non-byline.; Coats Tim author non-byline.; Gale Chris author non-byline.; Benger Jonathan author non-byline.; Clegg Gareth author non-byline.; Ward James author non-byline.; Long John author non-byline.; Brodie Ian author non-byline.; Chamberlain Douglas author non-byline.;
• Is Part Of: BMJ open. Volume 5:Issue 10(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-10-01
• Subjects: EPIDEMIOLOGY -- ACCIDENT & EMERGENCY MEDICINE -- STATISTICS & RESEARCH METHODS; Medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; 610.72
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-008736
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-6055

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: Reducing premature death is a key priority for the UK National Health Service (NHS). NHS Ambulance services treat approximately 30 000 cases of suspected cardiac arrest each year but survival rates vary. The British Heart Foundation and Resuscitation Council (UK) have funded a structured research programme—the Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Outcomes (OHCAO) programme. The aim of the project is to establish the epidemiology and outcome of OHCA, explore sources of variation in outcome and establish the feasibility of setting up a national OHCA registry. Methods and analysis: This is a prospective observational study set in UK NHS Ambulance Services. The target population will be adults and children sustaining an OHCA who are attended by an NHS ambulance emergency response and where resuscitation is attempted. The data collected will be characterised broadly as system characteristics, emergency medical services (EMS) dispatch characteristics, patient characteristics and EMS process variables. The main outcome variables of interest will be return of spontaneous circulation and medium—long-term survival (30 days to 10-year survival). Ethics and dissemination: Ethics committee permissions were gained and the study also has received approval from the Confidentiality Advisory Group Ethics and Confidentiality committee which provides authorisation to lawfully hold identifiable data on patients without their consent. To identify the key characteristics contributing to better outcomes in some ambulance services, reliable and reproducible systems need to be established for collecting data on OHCA in the UK. Reports generated from the registry will focus on data completeness, timeliness and quality. Subsequent reports will summarise demographic, patient, process and outcome variables with aim of improving patient care through focus quality improvement initiatives.