{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,18]],"date-time":"2026-08-18T04:50:53Z","timestamp":1787028653789,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":31,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"2","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,19]],"date-time":"2025-01-19T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1737244800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Italian Resuscitation Council"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["JCM"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background\/Objectives: Dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DA-CPR) is widely recognized as a critical intervention that significantly reduces no-flow time, improving survival rates in out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs). This study evaluates current practices and the organization of DA-CPR in Italian emergency medical communication centers (EMCCs) and identifies areas for improvement. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between April and May 2024 among all Italian EMCCs, achieving a 92.6% response rate (62 out of 67) and covering 95.5% of the population. Data were collected on the availability of DA-CPR, additional medical instructions provided, standardized protocols, integration into dispatch software, availability of video call systems, and follow-up programs. Results: All responding EMCCs provide DA-CPR, with 79.1% (n = 49) initiating these protocols more than five years ago. In adult cardiac arrest, 74.2% (n = 46) provide instructions for chest compressions only. Standardized protocols are used in 69.4% (n = 43) of EMCCs, and 53.2% (n = 33) have these protocols integrated into their dispatch software. Additionally, 93.5% (n = 58) provide dispatcher-assisted instructions for other medical conditions, including pediatric CPR (90.3%, n = 56), neonatal CPR (90.3%, n = 56), foreign body airway obstruction (85.5%, n = 53), labor (56.5%, n = 35), and massive bleeding (41.9%, n = 26). A training path for DA-CPR is available in 48 EMCCs (77.4%), and in most cases, it is included in the basic dispatcher course (56.5%, n = 36), with 50% conducting periodic retraining. Moreover, 33.9% (n = 21) utilize video call systems to support dispatcher-assisted instructions. Data on DA-CPR are collected by 46.8% of EMCCs (n = 29), primarily on relevant cases, but only 25.8% (n = 16) have a follow-up path for patients. Conclusions: This study highlights a widespread implementation of DA-CPR across Italian EMCCs. However, regional disparities, mainly in protocols and technological support, indicate areas requiring urgent attention. Enhancing training programs and standardizing protocols could improve DA-CPR effectiveness and patient outcomes, thus guaranteeing equitable care nationwide. Future initiatives should focus on integrating support tools like video calls, expanding retraining programs, and establishing follow-up and debriefing paths.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm14020637","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,20]],"date-time":"2025-01-20T12:32:52Z","timestamp":1737376372000},"page":"637","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":3,"title":["Dispatcher-Assisted CPR in Italy: A Nationwide Survey of Current Practices and Future Challenges in Emergency Medical Communication Centers"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"14","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-2385-989X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Guglielmo","family":"Imbriaco","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome \u201cTor Vergata\u201d, Via Montpellier 1, 00166 Rome, Italy"},{"name":"118 Emilia Est Emergency Medical Communication Center, Maggiore Hospital, Largo Niglisoli 2, 40133 Bologna, Italy"},{"name":"Scientific Committe, Italian Resuscitation Council, Via della Croce Coperta 11, 40128 Bologna, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5363-2250","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Giacomo Sebastiano","family":"Canova","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"118 Vicenza Emergency Medical Communication Center, AULSS 8 Berica, Vicenza, Viale F. Rodolfi, 37, 36100 Vicenza, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4638-118X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Lorenzo","family":"Righi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centrale Operativa 118 Siena-Grosseto, USL Toscana Sud Est, Strada del Ruffolo 2\/A, 53100 Siena, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0005-0740-9428","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Sara","family":"Tararan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Piattaforma Emergenza Urgenza, Azienda Sanitaria Friuli Occidentale, Via della Vecchia Ceramica 1, 33179 Pordenone, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0008-8072-4493","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Giorgia","family":"Di Mario","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Azienda Regionale Emergenza Sanitaria 118, Via Portuense 240, 00149 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1176-8133","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Nicola","family":"Ramacciati","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Via Alberto Savinio 54B, 87036 Rende, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,19]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"80","DOI":"10.1016\/j.resuscitation.2021.02.008","article-title":"European Resuscitation Council Guidelines 2021: Systems Saving Lives","volume":"161","author":"Semeraro","year":"2021","journal-title":"Resuscitation"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"343","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ccl.2018.03.001","article-title":"The Critical Role of Dispatch","volume":"36","author":"Kashani","year":"2018","journal-title":"Cardiol. 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