Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41132447›Full record

ArticleBritish paramedic journal2025

The impact of drone delivery of an automated external defibrillator: a simulation feasibility study.

Owen Finney, Kate Snowdon, Sara Lomzynska, Danielle Ferraresi, Michael Norton, David Austin, Chris P Gale, Chris Wilkinson, Graham McClelland

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in British paramedic journal, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Owen FinneyUniversity of Sunderland; North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3744-2710.
Kate SnowdonUniversity of Sunderland; North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.
Sara LomzynskaNorth East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.
Danielle FerraresiNorth East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.
Michael NortonNorth East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.
David AustinSouth Tees NHS Foundation Trust; Newcastle University ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4606-1055.
Chris P GaleUniversity of Leeds; Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4732-382X.
Chris WilkinsonUniversity of York; University of Leeds ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0748-0150.
Graham McClellandNorthumbria University ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4502-5821.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a leading cause of death in Europe. Early defibrillation is associated with improved outcomes. While this may be delivered by members of the public using an automated external defibrillator (AED), they are used infrequently. Drone delivery of an AED may enable quicker defibrillation compared to awaiting arrival of emergency medical services. Little is known about how members of the public may react to AED delivery or about the potential impact of retrieving an AED on the provision of high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Methods: A feasibility study using a simulated OHCA scenario was completed by members of the public. Participants performed CPR on a manikin, guided by an ambulance service call handler, which was interrupted by AED delivery. CPR quality and the duration of the interruption for AED retrieval were recorded, and participants' feedback on the scenario was collected using a survey. Results: Twelve participants completed the study. Overall, a median of 61% (interquartile range [IQR] 21-79) of chest compressions were delivered at the correct speed, and 99% (IQR 78-100) at the correct depth. CPR was discontinued for a median of 116 (96-135) seconds to retrieve an AED and deliver a shock. Participants described the scenario as stressful and challenging, were supportive of the concept of AED delivery by drone and emphasised the value of call-handler instructions and guidance. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the feasibility of a process and outcomes evaluation of simulated drone-delivered AED to members of the public. The retrieval process was associated with notable interruption in the delivery of CPR, but it remains unknown whether any impact of this may be offset by expedited use of the AED. Understanding the likely overall impact of drone delivery of AEDs on patient outcomes is critical before this approach should be considered in clinical practice.

Indexed as

AEDbystanderdroneEMSparamedic

Identifiers

PMID41132447
PMCPMC12543074

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.