ArticleScandinavian journal of trauma, resuscitation and emergency medicine2022
First responder systems can stay operational under pandemic conditions: results of a European survey during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Article in Scandinavian journal of trauma, resuscitation and emergency medicine, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.
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Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed, 13 citations in OpenAlex.
- Comparing the incomparable: Population densities and first responder groups through alternate statistics.Resuscitation plus · 2025Review
- Advancements in Public First Responder Programs for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: An Updated Literature Review.Reviews in cardiovascular medicine · 2025Review
- Health systems developments and predictors of bystander CPR in Ireland.Resuscitation plus · 2024Article
- Bystander defibrillation for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Ireland.Resuscitation plus · 2024Article
- Biosafety Issues in Patient Transport during COVID-19: A Case Study on the Portuguese Emergency Services.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2024Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors at 5 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundDispatching first responders (FR) to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in addition to the emergency medical service has shown to increase survival. The promising development of FR systems over the past years has been challenged by the outbreak of COVID-19. Whilst increased numbers and worse outcomes of cardiac arrests during the pandemic suggest a need for expansion of FR schemes, appropriate risk management is required to protect first responders and patients from contracting COVID-19. This study investigated how European FR schemes were affected by the pandemic and what measures were taken to protect patients and responders from COVID-19.
methodsTo identify FR schemes in Europe we conducted a literature search and a web search. The schemes were contacted and invited to answer an online questionnaire during the second wave of the pandemic (December 2020/ January 2021) in Europe.
resultsWe have identified 135 FR schemes in 28 countries and included responses from 47 FR schemes in 16 countries. 25 schemes reported deactivation due to COVID-19 at some point, whilst 22 schemes continued to operate throughout the pandemic. 39 schemes communicated a pandemic-specific algorithm to their first responders. Before the COVID-19 outbreak 20 FR systems did not provide any personal protective equipment (PPE). After the outbreak 19 schemes still did not provide any PPE. The majority of schemes experienced falling numbers of accepted call outs and decreasing registrations of new volunteers. Six schemes reported of FR having contracted COVID-19 on a mission.
conclusionsEuropean FR schemes were considerably affected by the pandemic and exhibited a range of responses to protect patients and responders. Overall, FR schemes saw a decrease in activity, which was in stark contrast to the high demand caused by the increased incidence and mortality of OHCA during the pandemic. Given the important role FR play in the chain of survival, a balanced approach upholding the safety of patients and responders should be sought to keep FR schemes operational.
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