Josephine County Cardiac Arrest Survival Rate Surpasses National Average

When a heart stops, every second matters. In Josephine County, more of those seconds are turning into second chances – thanks to American Medical Response paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMT) whose quick action is saving lives.

According to newly released annual data from the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES), American Medical Response (AMR) Josephine County, a division of Global Medical Response (GMR) reported 14.8% of cardiac arrest patients successfully recovered to the point of hospital discharge. That number is more than 40% higher than the national average of 10.5%.

“These outcomes speak to a system that is working — one that depends on every link in the chain, from dispatch to hospital handoff,” said David Mathews, operations manager for AMR Josephine County. “We remain focused on continuous improvement, knowing that behind each number is a person, a family and a future.”

Focus on clinical excellence
AMR Josephine County follows evidence-based protocols developed by national organizations, including the U.S. Metropolitan Municipalities EMS Medical Directors Consortium, the National Association of EMS Physicians and CARES. These standards guide the agency’s approach to resuscitation, with a focus on early intervention and continuity of care.

Key components of the local response system include:

• LUCAS 3 devices deliver continuous, consistent compressions during cardiac arrest to help maintain blood flow to the brain and heart.
• Integrated high performance CPR protocols, including early defibrillation and coordination with local partners Grants Pass Fire and Rural Metro Fire.
• Medical helicopters are automatically dispatched for critical cardiac patients, using preset landing zones to ensure rapid transport once the patient’s heart is restarted on scene. This approach can reduce transport time by more than 20 minutes, allowing for faster access to advanced hospital care.
• Ongoing advanced cardiac training for EMS professionals, including instruction from local emergency physicians. Because the closest hospital with a cardiac catheterization lab may be 32 miles away in Medford, field decisions and early care are critical.
• Advanced airway and medication management.

“Survival in these cases is not the result of chance — it’s the result of clinical precision, strong system coordination and highly trained responders who act without hesitation,” said Mathews. “This data affirms our commitment to delivering the highest standard of pre-hospital care.”

Community training strengthens survival
While EMS plays a critical role in cardiac emergencies, early action by bystanders often shapes the outcome. Brain damage can begin in as little as four minutes, which is why communities with higher survival rates also emphasize public readiness and response.

“When someone knows what to do in those first few minutes, they become the first link in the chain of survival,” said Mathews. “We encourage more people across Josephine County to get trained, stay informed, and be ready to help.”

AMR offers free compression-only CPR training to the community. To schedule a class or learn more, call 541-474-6303.

Lives saved. Futures returned.
This is what cardiac arrest survival looks like when the system works — when evidence-based care meets trained responders and a community committed to readiness. AMR’s cardiac arrest outcomes are more than just impressive. They are proof of what’s possible when every link in the chain of survival holds strong.

“We carry every save with us,” said Mathews. “Because each one reminds us that what we do isn’t just about emergency care — it’s about restoring possibility.”