A Study on the Impact of a New Canton-Wide First Responder System in Zug, Switzerland, on Survival After Adult Cardiac Arrest-Examining Early Life-Saving Organized Help, Fast Defibrillation, and Improved Outcomes for Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Background and Rationale

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains one of the leading causes of prehospital mortality and represents a medical emergency with extreme time sensitivity. Survival and neurological outcome are strongly dependent on early recognition, rapid activation of the emergency response system, immediate high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and timely defibrillation. Delays at any stage of the chain of survival substantially reduce the likelihood of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival to hospital discharge.

Organized First Responder systems, including fire services, police units, and trained lay responders supported by dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation, have been shown to strengthen the early phases of OHCA management. These responders frequently arrive before emergency medical services (EMS) and initiate life-saving interventions during the critical first minutes after collapse. Regions with structured First Responder programs consistently report higher ROSC rates, shorter time to first defibrillation, and improved survival compared with regions without such systems.

In the canton of Zug, Switzerland, EMS operates within a hybrid response model in which resuscitation teams are led either by an Emergency Physician (EP) or by a highly trained Critical Care Paramedic (CCP), depending on operational availability. CCPs have completed advanced postgraduate training and operate with a high degree of autonomy within clearly defined delegated competencies. Both EPs and CCPs are authorized to provide the full range of advanced prehospital resuscitation care. This model reflects a pragmatic approach to maintaining high-quality emergency coverage while allowing flexibility in staffing.

The coexistence of a canton-wide First Responder system and a hybrid EMS leadership model provides a unique opportunity to evaluate system-level effects on OHCA outcomes within a real-world Swiss setting. While international literature suggests that overall survival outcomes are broadly comparable between physician-led and paramedic-led resuscitations, ongoing debate persists regarding potential differences in specific subgroups or early resuscitation endpoints. At the same time, evidence increasingly emphasizes that early intervention by First Responders may have a greater population-level impact than the professional background of the advanced life support team leader.

Despite the widespread implementation of First Responder programs in Switzerland, systematic evaluation in the German-speaking regions remains limited. REVIVE Zug addresses this gap by providing a comprehensive analysis of OHCA outcomes before and after implementation of a full-coverage First Responder system, while accounting for the potential influence of EMS team leadership.

Objectives

The primary objective of the REVIVE Zug study is to assess the impact of a canton-wide First Responder system on outcomes following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Primary outcomes include:

Rates of return of spontaneous circulation

Rates of hospital admission following OHCA

Occurrence of shockable cardiac rhythms at EMS arrival

Achievement of ROSC prior to arrival of EMS

Secondary objectives focus on evaluating whether the type of EMS team leadership-Emergency Physician versus Critical Care Paramedic-is associated with differences in resuscitation outcomes once EMS-led care has begun. Additional analyses examine key time intervals within the chain of survival, including time from cardiac arrest to arrival of organized help and time to first defibrillation. Event timing characteristics (such as time of day and weekday versus weekend occurrence) and basic demographic factors are also assessed to support contextual interpretation of results.

Study Design

REVIVE Zug is an ambispective observational data analysis combining retrospective and prospective cohorts. The retrospective cohort includes OHCA cases occurring prior to implementation of the comprehensive First Responder system, while the prospective cohort includes cases managed after full system deployment.

The study uses encrypted, non-genetic, health-related personal data derived from established registries, including the local EMS quality registry and the national Swiss Reca resuscitation registry. Data collection follows standardized documentation procedures using routine EMS records and case report forms. For prospective data, an additional structured case report form for First Responder interventions has been introduced to address potential documentation gaps.

Only adult OHCA cases occurring within the canton of Zug are included. Pediatric cases are excluded due to low case numbers. Cases with a documented refusal for data use are excluded.

Data Management and Statistical Approach

All data are pseudonymized at the point of entry and fully anonymized for analysis. Linkage keys are stored separately and accessible only to a limited number of specifically authorized individuals. Data are stored on encrypted, password-protected servers within the Health Directorate of the canton of Zug.

Statistical analyses are exploratory and descriptive in nature. Continuous variables are summarized using mean and standard deviation or median and range, depending on data distribution. Categorical and ordinal variables are reported as counts and proportions. Group comparisons are conducted using appropriate statistical tests based on data characteristics, including parametric and non-parametric methods. Correlation analyses are performed using established statistical coefficients as appropriate. Standard statistical software packages are used for analysis and graphical presentation.

Based on historical data, the expected annual number of OHCA cases in the study region is approximately 40 cases per year, resulting in an estimated total sample size of around 250 cases across the full study period.

Data Sources and Security

Study data originate from the Swiss Reca registry and the internal EMS quality registry, both of which have long-standing experience with standardized, pseudonymized data collection. EMS mission reports and routine documentation are archived in accordance with cantonal quality assurance procedures.

All study data are centrally stored within the Health Directorate of Zug. Access is strictly limited to authorized personnel through role-based permissions. Audit trails, access logging, and data integrity controls are in place. Data handling follows established clean-desk and information security policies.

Ethical Considerations and Regulatory Compliance

Due to the acute nature of OHCA and the high associated mortality, it is often not feasible to obtain individual informed consent retrospectively. The study therefore operates under an exemption in accordance with Article 34 of the Swiss Human Research Act for the use of anonymized health-related data. This exemption has been granted by the responsible ethics committee for Northwest and Central Switzerland.

No data are included if a written or verbal refusal has been documented. All individuals with access to coded or operational data are subject to Swiss medical confidentiality obligations and official secrecy requirements. Patient data are retained for a minimum of five years in accordance with Swiss quality assurance and regulatory standards.

The study complies with the Swiss Human Research Act and Human Research Ordinance. Any protocol amendments or changes in project responsibility are documented and reported in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Anticipated Outcomes and Relevance

REVIVE Zug aims to provide a differentiated, practice-oriented assessment of how a comprehensive First Responder system influences OHCA outcomes within a real-world EMS environment. By integrating operational data with standardized registry information, the study seeks to generate findings that are relevant to EMS system design, responder training, and emergency planning.

The results are expected to support evidence-based decisions regarding early response strategies and the organization of prehospital care. Findings will be disseminated through scientific publication and professional exchange, with the goal of informing future improvements in OHCA management in Switzerland and comparable healthcare systems.