EMuRgency - Neue Ansätze zur Reanimationsunterstützung und für Reanimationstraining in der Euregio Maas-Rhein

In the “Euregio Meuse-Rhine” (EMR) – the shared border region of the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany – each year about 2.500 people suffer a cardiac arrest in pre-hospital setting. Less than 15% of the patients are discharged alive from the hospital. Regrettably, in this extremely time-critical emergency, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is only performed in about 25% of the cases. Main reasons are described as a lack of knowledge, uncertainness and fears of lay persons [1]. In the project EMuRgency we evaluate whether innovative technologies and concepts can increase the rate of bystander CPR and implement the effective measures, subsequently. Based on findings from distinct pre-projects (“SMS-Retter“, “AED-Alert“, “Hart voor Limburg“) a dispatch-center controlled smartphone notification system is being conceptualized and will be implemented. Hereby, registered trained rescuers will be localized by GPS signal, if they are in direct vicinity to the cardiac arrest victim. Subsequently, they will be notified, and – if mission is accepted – will be guided to the patient via their smartphone (“map”) [2]. Furthermore, technology-supported, low-threshold learning opportunies (e.g. e-learning modules and CPR-training apps for smartphones) are being developed and used for training [3]. An educational network will be build up for the entire Euregio, consisting of schools and medical facilities. Educational displays in public places and holding areas (administrative offices, hospitals etc.) shall provide citizens with basic CPR knowledge. Under the auspices of the INTERREG foundation, eight partners from Heerlen (NL), Aachen (D), Maastricht (NL), Genk (B), Leuven (B), Liège (B) and Seraing (B) affiliated in an international and interdisciplinary consortium with expertise in medicine, computer science and (media) educational science. Aim of the 36 months enduring project, which started in September 2011, is to sustainably increase the rate of high quality CPR begun before arrival of the EMS. Innovative technologies and cross-border training concepts are being developed and implemented. Therefore the intensive networking and cooperation of all EMS stakeholders in the EMR is essential. In order to save more lifes the rate and the quality of CPR begun before arrival of the EMS must be increased. The regional implementation and evaluation of new technical and didactic aids are urgently needed. Especially for the smartphone notification system dispatch-centers are a central interface.