Improving survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in communities

RACE-CARS DCC 2/2

NIH-funded research Duke University · NIH-10915413

This study is looking for ways to help people who have a cardiac arrest outside of the hospital by testing community programs that teach bystanders how to give CPR and use defibrillators, so we can improve survival rates for everyone in North Carolina.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDuke University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Durham, United States)
Project IDNIH-10915413 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing survival rates for individuals experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) by implementing community-based interventions. It involves a cluster-randomized trial across 50 counties in North Carolina, aiming to identify effective strategies for improving bystander CPR and defibrillation rates. The study will gather high-quality evidence on how these interventions can be systematically applied to improve patient outcomes. By engaging local communities and emergency medical services, the research seeks to create a sustainable model for better cardiac arrest response.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals under 18 years of age who are at risk of experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Not a fit: Patients who are over 18 years old or those who do not experience cardiac arrest may not receive any benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase survival rates and improve neurological outcomes for patients who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that targeted community interventions can improve survival rates for cardiac arrest, indicating that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

Durham, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.