We need to include bystander first aid in trauma research

Abstract

BackgroundThe chain of trauma survival is a concept that originated in the area of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and was adapted to the treatment of trauma. In out-of-hospital cardiac arrest research into bystander first aid has resulted in improved outcome. Whereas, in trauma research the first link of the chain of survival is almost ignored.MethodsIn OHCA, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from bystanders has been subject of a vast amount of research, as well as measures and programs to raise the rate of bystander CPR to cardiac arrest victims. These efforts have resulted in improved survival. The research effort has been well grounded in the research community, as demonstrated by its natural inclusion in the uniform reporting template (Utstein) for the treatment of OHCA. In trauma the bystander may contribute by providing an open airway, staunch bleedings, or prevent hypothermia. In trauma however, while the chain of survival has been adopted along with it distinct links, including bystander first aid, the consensus-based uniform reporting template for trauma (the Utstein template) does not include the bystander first aid efforts. There is extremely little research on what first aid measures bystanders provide to trauma victims, and on what impact such measures have on outcome. An important step to improve research on bystander first aid in trauma would be to include this as part of the uniform reporting template for traumaConclusionThe lack of research on bystander first aid makes the first link in the trauma chain of survival the weakest link. We, the trauma research community, should either improve our research and knowledge in this area, or remove the link from the chain of survival

How to evaluate first aid skills after training: a systematic review

“…Studies have concentrated especially on the practical skills of performing CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) [ 3 , 13 , 16 , 18 ]. Other practical first aid skills, such as required in choking, hemorrhage, stroke, and trauma have been less focused on [ 33 ].…”

Attitudes and willingness toward out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a questionnaire study among the public trained online in China

“…The sudden death of a public figure in 2019 pushed this topic to the forefront again, with many more online hits for 'cardiopulmonary resuscitation' (CPR). 2 Early initiation of CPR improves survival rates from OHCA, 3 but the average rate for bystanders performing CPR in eight large and medium-sized cities in China is just 4.5%, 4 while in the USA and in Europe, it is around 40.2% and 47.4%, respectively. 5 6 CPR training is a pivotal factor in improving the performance rate of CPR and has been Strengths and limitations of this study ► We conducted a questionnaire study to investigate the public attitudes and willingness towards cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after online training.…”

“…The sudden death of a public figure in 2019 pushed this topic to the forefront again, with many more online hits for ‘cardiopulmonary resuscitation’ (CPR). 2 Early initiation of CPR improves survival rates from OHCA, 3 but the average rate for bystanders performing CPR in eight large and medium-sized cities in China is just 4.5%, 4 while in the USA and in Europe, it is around 40.2% and 47.4%, respectively. 5 6…”

TraumaLink: A Community-Based First-Responder System for Traffic Injury Victims in Bangladesh

“…The lack of reliable information to drive the creation and ongoing funding of effective countermeasures helps to perpetuate and exacerbate dangerous road conditions. 8 , 25 – 27 Establishing a dense network of local volunteers helped us address the lack of comprehensive data on crashes and injuries by combining a sensitive surveillance system with a directed effort to collect and record all details within the first few hours after the completion of a crash response.…”