Enhancing the Community Chain of Survival: A Simulation Study of Defibrillator Delivery by Food Delivery Riders in a High-Density City.

BACKGROUND

Timely defibrillator delivery for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) remains challenging, with most cases relying on emergency medical services (EMSs) for response. In this simulation study we examined the feasibility of using food delivery (FD) scooter riders as first responders for defibrillator delivery in OHCA incidents and compared simulated defibrillator arrival times with documented times.

METHODS

This simulation study was conducted in Taipei, a densely populated city with a high concentration of scooter-based FD riders. OHCA cases were retrieved from the OHCA Registry of the Taipei City Fire Department between 2017 and 2019, public defibrillator locations and operating hours were sourced, and FD hotspots were identified using the Uber Eats platform. The simulation assumed that every open restaurant in a hotspot had exactly 1 FD rider waiting and ready to respond to OHCAs within a 2-km radius. Response rates of FD riders were varied, and both simulated and documented defibrillator arrival times were analyzed. Differences in defibrillator arrival times during peak and off-peak hours were also assessed.

RESULTS

With a 10% FD rider response rate, the defibrillator arrival time decreased by 2.99 minutes, representing approximately 44% of the original EMS response time. In the simulation, over 60% of OHCAs were successfully attended. Achieving 80% coverage during peak hours required 13.4% of FD riders to respond.

CONCLUSIONS

Integrating FD riders into the EMS system could reduce defibrillator arrival times, decreasing patient waiting time for defibrillation. This approach is particularly effective during peak hours, when a higher proportion of OHCAs can be addressed.