The use of statistical process control (risk-adjusted CUSUM, risk-adjusted RSPRT and CRAM with prediction limits) for monitoring the outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients rescued by the EMS system

Objective Based on previous experience from surgical surveillance, risk‐adjusted cumulative sum (CUSUM)‐type charts were applied to monitor out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patient mortality. Materials and methods Data from 2356 OHCA patients were collected by the Taipei County Fire Bureau from June 2006 to November 2007. Logistic regression analysis was applied to create a risk‐adjusted model. Next, a risk‐adjusted CUSUM chart, a risk‐adjusted resetting sequential probability ratio test chart and a cumulative risk‐adjusted mortality with prediction limits chart were used to detect excess deaths of the OHCA patients rescued by the emergency medical service (EMS) system. Results The overall mortality rate, defined as having no return of spontaneous circulation, was 79.3%. These three charts signalled an increase in the death rate at similar sites, and also suggested a small process shift. Conclusion A visual approach to EMS systems monitoring that combines the risk‐adjusted cumulative sum, Risk‐adjusted resetting sequential probability ratio test and cumulative risk‐adjusted mortality with prediction limits charts was established. It was found that this approach can be effectively used by the EMS community to monitor OHCA outcomes in real time.