What happened: A study conducted by Johns Hopkins University analyzed data from the CARES Registry (January 2020 to December 2022) and revealed that only 27% of people in Baltimore receive bystander CPR during a cardiac arrest. This figure falls well below the national average of 40%, raising concerns about cardiac arrest survival rates in Baltimore City. The study highlights cultural and societal barriers, such as fear of liability, concerns about causing harm, and disparities in providing CPR based on gender, as contributing factors.
| More: Study finds Baltimore bystanders less likely to perform CPR
Highlights
Watch as Ed Bauter, MBA, MHL, NRP, FP-C, CCP-C; and Daniel Schwester, MICP, highlight the significance of this development, including:
- The life-and-death role of bystander CPR. Early CPR is crucial to improving cardiac arrest survival rates, but without community action, outcomes stagnate.
- Barriers to public involvement in CPR. Fear of hurting the patient, concerns over civil liability, and gender-related disparities are preventing bystanders from acting.
- Opportunities for community education. Public health campaigns must address knowledge gaps, such as teaching hands-only CPR and dispelling myths about liability.
The path forward
Improving bystander CPR rates in Baltimore requires a cultural shift and concerted public education efforts. EMS professionals, healthcare institutions, and public health leaders must collaborate to dispel fears about providing CPR, increase access to training, and emphasize the critical role bystanders play in saving lives. Creating a more CPR-informed and confident community is essential to improving survival rates, both locally and nationally.
EMS1 is using generative AI to create some content that is edited and fact-checked by our editors.
