Victoria has Australia's best cardiac arrest survival rate and the third best in the world following a record year.
Ambulance Victoria has released its 2023/24 Victorian Ambulance Cardiac Arrest Registry (VACAR) Annual Report, showcasing groundbreaking advancements in cardiac arrest response and survival rates across the state.
This year's report highlights the significant impact of early intervention, with bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) administered in 79 per cent of witnessed cases and 141 cases receiving a shock from a public Automated External Defibrillator (AED) - the highest number on record.
Victoria now has Australia's best cardiac arrest survival rate and ranks third globally.
As a result of these interventions, and the dedication of paramedics and first responders, 422 cardiac arrest patients were discharged from hospital, with 84 per cent returning home to their families.
Ambulance Victoria's Director Research and Evaluation Dr. Ziad Nehme praised the collective effort that has led to Victoria achieving its highest internationally comparable survival rate of 41 per cent of patients surviving to hospital discharge.
The rise from 36 per cent in 2022/23 marks the largest annual increase in the past decade.
"These improvements in survival are not by chance - they reflect the unwavering dedication of our paramedics and first responders, the responsiveness of the community, and the targeted initiatives that have strengthened the Chain of Survival," Dr. Nehme said.
"When CPR and defibrillation are provided quickly, survival chances increase significantly. The impact of initiatives such as GoodSAM, enhanced paramedic training, and expanded community education programs cannot be overstated."
The Ambulance Victoria Cardiac Arrest Improvement Strategy 2023-2028 continues to drive innovation in emergency response. In 2023/24, Ambulance Victoria launched a first-of-its-kind initiative to notify paramedics when a patient they treated for cardiac arrest was discharged from hospital, reinforcing the importance of quality feedback. More than 1,200 survivor notification letters have been sent to paramedics since March 2024.
Other key initiatives include the FIRST trial, which equips GoodSAM volunteer responders with ultraportable AEDs to reduce time to defibrillation. Additionally, the expansion of the Heart Safe Communities program has introduced 12 new communities, trained 3,116 Victorians, and registered 62 new public AEDs in high-risk areas.
Ambulance Victoria's Executive Director of Quality and Clinical Innovation, Dr. Tegwyn McManamny, acknowledged the resilience and skill of paramedics in responding to these time-critical events.
"The dedication of our paramedics and first responders, combined with evidence-based strategies, has delivered some of the best resuscitation outcomes in our history," Dr. McManamny said.
"Through continuous education, real-time performance feedback, and community-driven initiatives, we are making significant strides in improving survival outcomes."
With 17,327 GoodSAM responders now registered, and 10,304 AEDs available across Victoria, community involvement in cardiac arrest response continues to grow.
Ambulance Victoria urges all Victorians to learn CPR, register as GoodSAM responders, and ensure AEDs are easily accessible in their communities.
Download the 2023/24 Victorian Ambulance Cardiac Arrest Registry (VACAR) Annual Report (4.92 MB, PDF).
