OUT-OF-HOSPITAL CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATIONS

A retrospective survey of out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitations, performed by the emergency medical service in Celje is represented. The service is organized within the general medicine department. The emergency team consists of a physician, medical technician and ambulance driver. On a territory of 819 km2 with a population of 130,000, 123 resuscitations were attempted, which represents 2.5% of all the interventions made by the emergency medical services. Thirty (24.4%) resuscitations were successful. Fourteen (11.4%) patients were discharged from hospital. The average response time was 8.38 +/- 5.16 min. The criterion for successful resuscitation was spontaneous heart action, spontaneous breathing and at least partially recovered consciousness. The patient's average age was 59.4 +/- 18.6 years, 89 (72.4%) were male. The heart disease was the main cause for resuscitation in 62.6% of the patients. Basic life support initiated by bystanders was attempted only in 14% of the patients. In 22 (17.9%) patients with ventricular fibrillation, 12 (54.5%) resuscitations were successful and 7 (31.8%) of them were discharged from hospital.