%0 Journal Article
%T A survey of factors associated with the successful recognition of agonal breathing and cardiac arrest by 9-1-1 call takers: design and methodology
%A Christian Vaillancourt
%A Jan L Jensen
%A Jeremy Grimshaw
%A Jamie C Brehaut
%A Manya Charette
%A Ann Kasaboski
%A Martin Osmond
%A George A Wells
%A Ian G Stiell
%J BMC Emergency Medicine
%D 2009
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1471-227x-9-14
%X The overall goal of this study is to design and conduct a survey of 9-1-1 call takers in the province of Ontario to better understand the factors associated with the successful identification of cardiac arrest (including patients with agonal breathing) over the phone, and subsequent administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation instructions to callers. This study will be conducted in three phases using the Theory of Planned Behaviour. In Phase One, we will conduct semi-structured qualitative interviews with a purposeful selection of 9-1-1 call takers from Ontario, and identify common themes and belief categories. In Phase Two, we will use the qualitative interview results to design and pilot a quantitative survey. In Phase Three, a final version of the quantitative survey will be administered via an electronic medium to all registered call takers in the province of Ontario. We will perform qualitative thematic analysis (Phase One) and regression modelling (Phases Two and Three), to determine direct and indirect relationship of behavioural constructs with intentions to provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation instructions.The results of this study will provide valuable insight into the factors associated with the successful recognition of agonal breathing and cardiac arrest by 9-1-1 call takers. This will guide future interventional studies, which may include continuing education and protocol changes, in order to help increase the number of callers appropriately receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation instructions, and save the lives of more cardiac arrest victims.Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00848588Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of mortality in North America and is the condition that most frequently leads to sudden cardiac arrest [1]. Cardiac arrest refers to the sudden cessation of cardiac mechanical activity as confirmed by the absence of signs of circulation [2]. More than 40% of all deaths from coronary artery disease occur suddenly, and often constitute
%U http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-227X/9/14