ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to provide an appropriate direction for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) education for laypersons by analyzing the status of CPR training, bystander CPR, and the prognosis of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). METHODS: Data were obtained prospectively by interviews of bystanders who arrived with an OHCA patient between Jan 1, 2009 and Mar 31, 2010. Variables analyzed included CPR education, bystander CPR, and prognosis of OHCA patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent factors for bystander CPR. RESULTS: Nineteen (33.9%) of 56 bystanders (male: 48.2%, age: 48.98+/-16.87) conducted CPR on an individual having an OHCA. Fourteen (25.0%) of the 56 had CPR education. Of the 14, 8 (57.1%) performed CPR. Among those who did not have any CPR training (p<0.05) 11 (26.2%) conducted it. In a multivariate regression analysis, younger age was a significant predictor for bystander CPR. Previous CPR training and male also appeared to be potential factors although their predictive value was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The rates of CPR training experience and bystander CPR were relatively low in this study. Younger age, male and previous CPR training were associated with the rate of bystander CPR, which is known as a critical factor influencing survival of OHCA patients. In order to increase survival of OHCA patients by raising the bystander CPR rate, systemic CPR education for laypersons should be established.