Clinical paperAnalysis of reasons for emergency call delays in Japan in relation to location: High incidence of correctable causes and the impact of delays on patient outcomes☆
Section snippets
Methods
The data were collected in accordance to the national guideline of ethics for the epidemiological survey (The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in Japan: http://www.mhlw.go.jp/general/seido/kousei/i-kenkyu/index.html). The study was approved by an institutional review board (reference number 841).
Distribution of interval between estimated time of collapse or arrest recognition and emergency call (definition of delay and large delay) in relation to place
As shown in Fig. 1, emergency calls were made before the time of collapse or arrest recognition in approximately 10% of OHCAs. The median interval was 2 min, and the upper-quartile value was 5 min. The delay in emergency call was judged to be present when the interval was 3 min or more. A large delay was defined as an interval of 6 min or more. The distribution may be compared among places where OHCAs occurred. The median (interquartile range) values of interval were 1.5 (0.3–3) in public places, 2
Discussion
Consistent with previous reports,7, 8, 9, 10 a large delay in emergency call was an independent factor related to the long-term prognosis of OHCA. Although correction of this delay has been suggested to be necessary, effective means for such correction remain to be determined.14, 15, 16 To develop a strategy to reduce the interval between collapse and emergency call, it is essential to identify and analyse the factors and reasons associated with delay within a community.
In the present study, we
Conclusion
The incidence of correctable causes of delay in making an emergency call is high in our community, particularly at care facilities and at home. Correction of the manual for emergency calls in care facilities and public relation efforts to facilitate early emergency calls may be necessary. BLS education should be revised to minimise delays in making an emergency call.
Conflict of interest statement
We have no conflict of interest to disclose.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank all the fire departments in Ishikawa Medical Control Council for their data collection.
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2015, ResuscitationCitation Excerpt :It is possible to call 112 from fixed and mobile phones to contact any emergency service: an ambulance, the fire brigade or the police. Early contact with the emergency services will facilitate dispatcher assistance in the recognition of cardiac arrest, telephone instruction on how to perform CPR, emergency medical service/first responder dispatch, and on locating and dispatching of an AED.66–69 In adults needing CPR, there is a high probability of a primary cardiac cause.
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A Spanish translated version of the abstract of this article appears as Appendix in the final online version at doi:10.1016/j.resuscitation.2010.05.022.