HomeMy WebLinkAbout26-0046 - 2026-04-07 - Informal ReportINFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 26-0046
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To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
April 7, 2026
Page 1 of 4
SUBJECT: CARDIAC ARREST SURVIVAL REPORTING AND IMPROVEMENT
OPPORTUNITIES
Purpose
This Informal Report provides an overview of how the Fort Worth Office of the Medical Director (OMD),
and the Fire Worth Fire Department (FWFD), assess and report on the EMS system performance related to
cardiac arrest resuscitation. It highlights key components of the `chain of survival, reviews system
performance over the past several years in comparison to national survival rates and identifies opportunities
to further enhance survival outcomes in Fort Worth.
Background
In the Fort Worth EMS system alone, we responded to and attempted resuscitation for more than 1,100
residents experiencing cardiac arrest last year. Nationwide, sudden cardiac arrest claims approximately
250,000 lives each year, underscoring the scale and urgency of this public health issue. Cardiac arrest can
occur for many reasons, but those with the highest chance of survival typically experience an acute cardiac
event, such as a heart attack, resulting in a dangerous and irregular heart rhythm.
The American Heart Association outlines a "chain of survival," a series of critical actions that significantly
improve survival: early recognition and activation of 911, high -quality CPR, rapid defibrillation, advanced
resuscitation, post -arrest care, and recovery. This chain of survival begins with the public and is
strengthened through comprehensive education and community awareness efforts.
Cardiac Arrest Performance Measure Reporting
OMD reviews every out -of -hospital cardiac arrest comprehensively using multiple data sources, including
dispatch audio, patient care reports, cardiac monitor data, and hospital outcomes. FWFD participates in the
CARES registry, a national database that enables standardized reporting and benchmarking of survival
outcomes. While all cases are tracked, EMS system performance is best reflected in Utstein cases, those
cardiac arrests that are witnessed by a bystander and have a shockable rhythm on EMS arrival. Bystander
CPR and AED use are also monitored, as both significantly improve survival.
CARES provides annual validated reports, and OMD supplements this with monthly performance
reporting.
Performance Trends
An overview of Fort Worth Cardiac Arrest Performance (2023-2025) shows that our system has been
steadily improving survival over the past 5 years, surpassing national survival in 2025. Our Bystander CPR
and Public AED use has been stable for the past 5 years and presents an opportunity to improve.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 26-0046
April 7, 2026
To the Mayor
and Members of the City Council
Page 2 of 4
3
* *a
SUBJECT:
CARDIAC ARREST SURVIVAL REPORTING
AND IMPROVEMENT
i g 7'.L
107
OPPORTUNITIES
2020 2021 2022 2023
2024
2025
FW Utstein Survival
22% 24% 23% 31%
33%
40%
National
29% 29% 31% 33%
34%
31%
FW Overall Survival
8% 7% 8% 9%
11%
12%
National
9% 9% 9% 10%
11%
10%
FW Bystander CPR
45% 38% 43% 46%
43%
45%
National
40% 40% 40% 41%
41%
42%
FW Public AED
9% 10% 9% 12%
9%
10%
National
9% 10% 11% 12%
13%
14%
FW Total Resuscitations
1,142 1,058 1,199 1,013
1,039
1,168
National
129,607 150,016 150,813 145,642
146,047 150,066
*Bold indicates higher performance
Utstein Survival
Fort Worth vs National
2020 - 2025
50%
40%
40%
33% 34%
29%
29% 31%
CO*-
30%
31% 33%
31%
20% 22%
24% 23%
10%
0%
2020
2021 2022 2023 2024
FW Utstein Survival National
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 26-0046
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
April 7, 2026
Page 3 of 4
SUBJECT: CARDIAC ARREST SURVIVAL REPORTING AND IMPROVEMENT
OPPORTUNITIES
Overall Survival
Fort Worth vs National
14%
12%
10% 9% 9%
8%
0
6% 8% 7%
4%
2%
0%
2020 - 2025
10% 11%
9% t
11%
9'
8%
1 2 3 4 5
FW Overall Survival National
12%
10%
M.
Current Improvement Efforts
OMD and FWFD, along with our suburban partner cities, are collaboratively planning annual, system -wide,
in -person continuing education for both single- and dual -role responders, with a focus on improving the
coordination of high -quality CPR and rapid defibrillation. An ongoing quality improvement initiative is
focused on identifying and testing strategies to improve survival outcomes. In addition, a dedicated task
force is evaluating approaches to better prioritize limited resources for cardiac arrest response and reduce
dispatch and response times.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 26-0046
haTkAe.
G�r� 4
�s {
F� �I
r�rn
1g7S
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
April 7, 2026
Page 4 of 4
SUBJECT: CARDIAC ARREST SURVIVAL REPORTING AND IMPROVEMENT
OPPORTUNITIES
Improvement Opportunities
Cities, like Seattle, have learned the key to consistently achieving high survival from cardiac arrest is to
engage their community as first responders. They have widely available AEDs and extensively train
citizens in hands -only CPR. To help bring these lessons to play in Fort Worth, we have several
opportunities:
1. Enhance access to AEDs throughout the city
2. Enhance CPR training to both city employees and public
3. Finalize implementation of PulsePoint, a publicly available app to help notify willing citizens of
cardiac arrest near their location in real time, as well as the location of the nearest AED.
4. Work with outside organizations on campaigns to raise awareness of the importance of citizen CPR
and AED use.
5. Publicly recognize citizens and city employees whose efforts resulted in survival from sudden
cardiac arrest.
Summary
Cardiac arrest is a critical public health issue, and a high -performing, community -supported EMS system
can significantly improve survival outcomes. Fort Worth has made steady progress in improving survival
over the past several years, while still recognizing opportunities to advance further. Key areas of focus
include strengthening fire -based EMS response, expanding public access to AEDs and CPR training,
enhancing rapid public notification of nearby cardiac arrests, and recognizing both first responders and
community members who play a role in saving lives.
For questions regarding the information in this report, please contact Dr. Jeffrey Jarvis at
jeffrey.jarvis@fortworthtexas.gov or Fire Chief Raymond Hill at Raymond.hill@fortworthtexas.gov.
Jesus "Jay" Chapa
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS