Peach County EMS adopts new cardiac arrest protocol to improve survival rates

Peach County paramedics now treat cardiac arrest patients on scene instead of rushing to the hospital.

PEACH COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT-DT) – Peach County EMS recently implemented a new cardiac arrest protocol to boost survival rates.

Deputy director Chad Davis says back in 2024, they were made aware they were not achieving THE national average. 

“In 2022 and 2023, we found that we had a 1.4% survival rate,” he said. The national average is about 7.9%. And we want to be better than average.”

He says when they were made aware of the stats, they were informed about new approach called advanced cardiac resuscitation, which teaches police officers and paramedics how to properly keep a person alive on the scene without having to rush to their nearest hospital.

“We brought in people from California and Kansas to teach us how to do it,” he said. “It’s a multi-faceted approach. It changes the way we’ve done things historically, from the medication we give to working the patient on scene rather than putting them in an ambulance and driving them as fast as we can.”

He says this new protocol has made a huge difference.

“We now work a cardiac arrest where the patient lies rather than putting them in the ambulance and driving down the road, because it shows we do ineffective compressions when driving down the road,” he said.

Peach County EMS director Brian Donaldson says their main goal is to keep every one safe.

“One of the things we don’t do anymore is put the patient in the back of an ambulance and drive fast to a close hospital,” he said. “One of the most dangerous things we do for our patients is to use lights and sirens. This more than likely results in crashes, and that can cause injury or death. So, ultimately providing better out comes for the patients and keep everybody safe.”

The Peach County EMS says they’re aiming to train 20% of residents in hands-on CPR, aiming to boost survival rates before crews so up on the scene.  

EMS leaders say they cant stress enough the importance of training in hands-on CPR. So, far Davis says 600 people have been trained. You can call your local EMS to learn how to sign up for classes.