How Can Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) Data Collection in Slovenia Be Improved?
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2023-05-30 · Method & validation
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The prevalence of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) has been established as a significant contributor to mortality rates in developed nations. Due to the challenges associated with conducting controlled randomized trials, there exists a necessity for the collection of high-quality data to enhance the comprehension of the impact of interventions. Several nations have initiated efforts to gather information pertaining to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). The Republic of Slovenia has been collecting data from interventions; however, the variables and data attributes have not yet been standardized to comply with international standards. This lack of conformity poses a challenge in making comparisons or drawing inferences. The aim of this study is to identify how to better gather OHCA data in Slovenia. Materials and methods: The Utstein resuscitation registry protocol (UP) was compared to the Slovenian data points that must be gathered in accordance with the Rules on Emergency Medical Service (REMS) during interventions. In addition, we have proposed alternative measures of digitization to enhance pre-hospital data. Results: Missing data points and attribute mismatches were detected in Slovenia. Eight data points necessitated by the UP are gathered in several databases (hospitals, the National Institute of Public Health, dispatch services, intervention reports from first responders, and defibrillator files), but not in the mandated protocols based on REMS. Two data points have variables that do not match those of the UP. A total of 16 data points according to UP are currently not being collected in Slovenia. The advantages and potential drawbacks of digitizing emergency medical services have been discussed. Conclusions: The study has identified gaps in the methods employed for collecting data on OHCA in Slovenia. The assessment conducted serves as a basis for enhancing the process of data collection, integrating quality control measures across the nation, and establishing a nationwide registry for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in Slovenia.
Abstract © the authors or publisher, via PubMed. Reuse and removal
Tags
Research methods & trial conduct
Related articles
- Age and sex differences in the sensitivity of ICD-10 diagnostic codes for identifying patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the British Columbia cardiac arrest registry: a retrospective cohort study. (Resuscitation, 2026)
- How do you update a global standard? A critical appraisal of the 2024 update of the Utstein out-of-hospital cardiac arrest registry template. (Resusc Plus, 2026)
- Are We Measuring What Matters? Re-Examining National Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Outcome Indicators. (Emerg Med Australas, 2026)
- Missing Data in OHCA Registries: How Multiple Imputation Methods Affect Research Conclusions-Paper II. (J Clin Med, 2026)
- Missing Data in OHCA Registries: How Imputation Methods Affect Research Conclusions-Paper I. (J Clin Med, 2025)
- Towards advancing Out-of-Hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) registries globally: Considerations from the global OHCA registry (GOHCAR) collaborative. (Resusc Plus, 2024)