Save a Life: Implementation and Evaluation of a Community-Focused CPR Education Program in Houston, Texas

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Cardiovascular Research
• Health Education

Background:

• Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) affects over 350,000 people annually in the US, with survival rates varying significantly by location.
• Low rates of bystander CPR, linked to reduced CPR training, are a major factor in OHCA mortality disparities.
• Houston researchers identified high-incidence OHCA census tracts with low bystander CPR rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement and evaluate a free, annual, bilingual Hands-Only CPR health education program in high-risk Houston neighborhoods.
• To assess the program's fidelity, dose delivered, dose received, participant reactions, and learning outcomes using the Kirkpatrick Model.
• To demonstrate the effectiveness of collaborative community health initiatives in improving OHCA survival.

Main Methods:

• Developed and delivered a free, annual, bilingual Hands-Only CPR training program in targeted Houston neighborhoods over five years.
• Conducted process evaluations (2016-2018) assessing fidelity, dose delivered, and dose received.
• Performed outcome evaluations using the Kirkpatrick Model, including participant satisfaction surveys and pre/post-knowledge assessments.

Main Results:

• Over 2700 individuals were trained in five years.
• Participant satisfaction was high (87% satisfied), with 85% finding the information clear and concise.
• Pre- and post-assessments revealed a 51% increase in correct identification of Hands-Only CPR steps among respondents.
• 63% of respondents were first-time CPR learners.

Conclusions:

• The Hands-Only CPR program positively impacted community health knowledge and preparedness for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
• Collaborative efforts, leveraging community partnerships, can effectively enhance the reach and sustainability of health education programs.
• This initiative provides a model for reducing OHCA disparities through targeted, accessible CPR training.