Which times are required to be documented during cardiac arrest events?

• A. The 'scene arrival time' and 'disposition time'
• B. The patient contact time and first shock time
• C. The 'response time' and 'on-scene time'
• D. The 'call time' and 'report time'

Answer: (D)

Recording the timeline of a cardiac arrest event hinges on capturing the start and end points of the EMS encounter. The call time represents when the emergency is reported and the response process begins, which is essential for measuring response intervals, assessing system performance, and maintaining a clear legal record. The report time marks when the information and patient handoff are completed to the receiving facility, ensuring continuity of care and enabling the hospital team to know exactly when EMS ceased on-scene documentation and transferred responsibility. Together, these two timestamps bracket the entire episode from onset of dispatch to handoff, forming the foundation for quality review, outcome analysis, and accountability. Other times like scene arrival, first shock, or on-scene duration are important operational metrics, but the requirement to document both the initial call and the final handoff is the most universally essential.