Objective: To determine the optimal on-scene time (ST) to maximize survival in cases of non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational analysis reviewed non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients and the effect of on-scene time on survival outcome. The 95 patients in the sample suffered out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and received cardiopulmonary resuscitation from Srinagarind EMS Unit, Khon Kaen, Thailand. Data were collected between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2016. The present study focused on ST of 8 and above as previous studies showed a benefit from these periods of on-scene time. The outcomes were measured by survival at emergency department, survival to admission and survival to discharge.

Results: ST of 8 minutes and above was significantly associated with survival to admission but not survival at emergency department and survival to discharge.

Conclusion: The on-scene time in non-trauma out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients should not be based on platinum 10 (less than 10 minutes) as in trauma patients. On-scene time of 8 minutes and above had a better survival to admission than on scene-time of less than 8 minutes for non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients.

Keywords: Prehospital, cardiac arrest, On-scene time

Received 11 Jul 2017 | Revised 28 Feb 2018 | Accepted 14 Mar 2018