Heart monitor displaying improved survival rates in Vienna

Can Real-Time Feedback Improve Cardiac Arrest Survival Rates?

Nico Varela in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A Vienna Study Shows How Post-Resuscitation Analysis Can Significantly Boost Outcomes"

For patients experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), advanced life support (ALS) is essential, and ongoing training is critical. International guidelines emphasize education to enhance the skills of healthcare providers, improving their ability to manage these critical situations effectively. Although studies have shown that feedback on ALS performance during training has a positive impact, there's limited information about how real-world, post-resuscitation feedback affects both the quality of ALS and patient outcomes. The goal of a recent study was to investigate the effectiveness of standardized post-resuscitation feedback in enhancing ALS quality and improving patient outcomes in real-life OHCA scenarios.

Researchers in Vienna, Austria, conducted a prospective study involving 2,209 patients who experienced OHCA and underwent resuscitation attempts by the city's emergency medical service (EMS). The study evaluated the impact of a standardized post-resuscitation feedback protocol on ALS quality. By providing EMS teams with detailed feedback after each resuscitation attempt, the researchers aimed to identify areas for improvement and enhance overall performance.

The results of this study offer valuable insights into the potential of real-time feedback to improve survival rates and neurological outcomes for cardiac arrest patients. The findings highlight the importance of continuous training and quality improvement initiatives in emergency medical services.

How Did Vienna's EMS Improve ALS Quality?

Heart monitor displaying improved survival rates in Vienna

The Vienna study implemented a standardized post-resuscitation feedback protocol within its municipal EMS system. This protocol aimed to provide timely and relevant feedback to EMS teams following their efforts to resuscitate patients experiencing OHCA. The feedback was designed to highlight areas of strength and identify opportunities for improvement in their ALS techniques.

The feedback protocol included several key components:

Detailed Performance Data: The protocol provided specific data on critical ALS performance metrics, including chest compression rates, compression ratios, ventilation rates, and duration of hands-off intervals.
Guideline Alignment: Performance data was compared against established guidelines from the European Resuscitation Council and the American Heart Association to ensure adherence to best practices.
Visual Feedback: The feedback included visual cues, such as color-coded indicators (green for good performance, red for areas needing improvement), to quickly highlight key areas of concern.
Comprehensive Assessment: Trained personnel and physicians evaluated ALS performance using defibrillator tracings and transthoracic impedance measurements, providing a comprehensive assessment of each resuscitation attempt.
Team Discussion: The feedback was discussed directly with the EMS teams and emergency physicians involved in the resuscitation, fostering open communication and collaborative problem-solving.

By implementing this standardized feedback protocol, the Vienna EMS aimed to promote a culture of continuous improvement and enhance the overall quality of ALS provided to OHCA patients.

Real-World Impact

The Vienna study demonstrates that real-time feedback mechanisms can substantially improve outcomes in cardiac arrest cases. By focusing on continuous improvement and adherence to established guidelines, emergency services can significantly boost patient survival rates and neurological outcomes. This approach provides a promising model for other cities and regions looking to enhance their emergency medical services.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2017.08.235, Alternate LINK

Title: Improvements In The Quality Of Advanced Life Support And Patient Outcome After Implementation Of A Standardized Real-Life Post-Resuscitation Feedback System

Subject: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Journal: Resuscitation

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Pia Hubner, Elisabeth Lobmeyr, Christian Wallmüller, Michael Poppe, Philip Datler, Markus Keferböck, Sebastian Zeiner, Alexander Nürnberger, Andreas Zajicek, Anton Laggner, Fritz Sterz, Patrick Sulzgruber

Published: 2017-11-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is Advanced Life Support, and why is it important?

Advanced life support (ALS) is a set of advanced medical procedures used to treat patients experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). These procedures are crucial for managing critical situations effectively and improving the chances of survival. Ongoing training for healthcare providers is essential to maintain and enhance their skills in performing ALS. The Vienna study underscores that ALS is essential for OHCA.

How did Vienna's EMS improve the quality of ALS?

The study in Vienna used a standardized post-resuscitation feedback protocol. After each resuscitation attempt, EMS teams received detailed feedback, including data on chest compression rates, compression ratios, ventilation rates, and hands-off intervals. This data was compared to guidelines from the European Resuscitation Council and the American Heart Association. Visual cues, like color-coded indicators, were used to highlight areas needing improvement. Trained personnel assessed performance using defibrillator tracings and impedance measurements, and teams discussed the feedback to foster improvement. The goal was to improve the quality of ALS by providing timely and relevant feedback.

What were the real-world impacts of the post-resuscitation feedback protocol?

The implementation of a standardized post-resuscitation feedback protocol significantly improved survival rates and neurological outcomes for cardiac arrest patients. This was achieved by providing EMS teams with specific performance data, comparing it against established guidelines, and offering visual feedback to quickly identify areas for improvement. The comprehensive assessment and team discussions further enhanced the effectiveness of the feedback. The Vienna study demonstrates that real-time feedback is a promising model for enhancing emergency medical services.

What is the significance of the study's findings?

The study's impact is the demonstration of the real-time feedback's potential to enhance the effectiveness of emergency medical services. Focusing on continuous improvement and adherence to established guidelines, the Vienna EMS was able to significantly boost patient survival rates and neurological outcomes in OHCA cases. This approach offers a viable model for other regions looking to improve their emergency medical services.

What specific elements made up the post-resuscitation feedback protocol?

The key components included detailed performance data, which included chest compression rates, compression ratios, ventilation rates, and hands-off intervals. The data was compared against established guidelines from the European Resuscitation Council and the American Heart Association. Visual feedback, like color-coded indicators, was used to quickly highlight areas of concern. Trained personnel assessed the performance using defibrillator tracings and transthoracic impedance measurements. Team discussions fostered open communication and collaborative problem-solving to ensure continuous improvement.