Victoria records leading cardiacarrest survival rate

VICTORIA has recorded its highest cardiac arrest survival rate on record, with 41 per cent of patients surviving to hospital discharge in 2023-24.

New data from Ambulance Victoria shows the state now has the best survival rate in Australia and the third highest in the world.

The Victorian Ambulance Cardiac Arrest Registry report revealed 422 cardiac arrest patients were discharged from hospital last year, with 84 per cent returning home.

Ambulance Victoria’s director of research and evaluation Dr Ziad Nehme said the results reflected a collective effort across the emergency response system.

“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.

Bystanders provided CPR in 79 per cent of witnessed cases and public defibrillators were used in 141 incidents – the highest number recorded.

The survival rate rose from 36 per cent in 2022-23, marking the biggest annual increase in a decade.

The report also highlighted several new initiatives, including a program that alerts paramedics when a patient they treated for cardiac arrest is discharged from hospital. Since its launch in March 2024, more than 1200 notification letters have been sent.

Ambulance Victoria is also trialling the use of ultraportable defibrillators by GoodSAM volunteers and has expanded its Heart Safe Communities program, which has now trained more than 3000 people and registered 62 new public defibrillators.