Emergency Cardiac Care News Digest is an assortment of current events and news related to emergency cardiac care and resuscitation. Produced by Code One Training Solutions, Emergency Cardiac Care News Digest is published every Friday throughout the year.
“The future is not some place we are going to, but one we are creating. The paths to it are not found, but made; and the activity of making them changes both the maker and the destination.” -Peter Ellyard
Our future of improved outcomes is not predetermined and is not predictable. However, our work is key to persuading positive change and direction in the future, a future of improved outcomes.
Global Resuscitation Alliance Webinar -> Cardiac Arrest: 50% Increase in Survival is Possible | Tuesday, October 17, 2023
The Global Resuscitation Alliance works to understand and spread implementation science in resuscitation and to improve systems of care everywhere – especially in low-resource settings. Hear from experts who will share insights on emergency pre-hospital care. They will also look into the future as we explore new, creative, innovative ways to save lives from cardiac arrest.
GRA webinars provide a unique opportunity to stay updated, connect with experts, and make a positive impact on cardiac arrest outcomes. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, researcher, policymaker, or advocate, this webinar will offer valuable insights in the pursuit of emergency pre-hospital care around the world. During this webinar, you will hear from experts who will share insight on emergency stroke care, pediatric and in-hospital resuscitation. We will also look into the future as we explore new, creative, innovative ways to save lives from cardiac arrest.
Can’t attend live? You should still register to access the on-demand recording!
Cardiac Arrest: 50% Increase in Survival Is Possible
The very best resuscitation conference, anywhere! Experience the Citizen CPR Foundation Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survival Summit in San Diego!
For resuscitation providers, educators, CPR instructors, trainers, survivors, advocates and more worldwide passionate about saving lives, CASSummit is the largest and only conference of its kind providing the opportunity to learn from the widest array of resuscitation experts on the latest science, education and implementation across the full chain of survival. Here’s what’s happening:
- A lineup of more than 225 speakers from the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, Singapore and more!
- 45+ concurrent sessions with 100+ presentations across four tracks, plus poster presentations and round-table discussions
- Networking opportunities with experts in the field of resuscitation, in-hospital care, EMS, community education and training
- Powerful and inclusive CPR Saves Lives Rally
Learn more and register here: https://www.citizencprsummit.org/
Coordinated effort in Henrico to improve access and time to AED treatment
Henrico County is installing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at its parks and outdoor recreation areas in purpose-built outdoor cabinets in response to an increase in activities and related medical calls.
“AEDs have distinguished themselves as a very useful tool in the community for treating folks with cardiac events until 911 responders can arrive,” said Rob Rowley, chief of Emergency Management and Workplace Safety.
“The significance is that seconds matter,” said Kevin Pond, chief of Emergency Communications. ” It really bridges that critical time gap from where there’s an emergency medical incident that occurs and…allows citizens to be the first responder.”
https://www.nbc12.com/video/2023/10/09/aed-boxes-installed-parks/
A Look Back-Ashe Heart Attack: Why Me?
Arthur Ashe was a no. 1 ranked professional tennis player and the only African-American male ever to win the US Open, the Australian Open, and Wimbledon.
In 1979, despite his active lifestyle and high level of fitness as an athlete, Ashe suffered a heart attack and underwent quadruple-bypass surgery. He shares his experience in this 1979-Washington Post article
Ashe went on to work with various organizations to improve public awareness and became a strong advocate. Today, early detection and treatment remain essential to survival.
Learn and share Early Heart Attack Care with the American College of Cardiology
A Look to the Future- Life After Cardiac Arrest
Heartsight, a team of experts and volunteers with diverse backgrounds and skills, linked through cardiac arrest aims to reduce uncertainty and improve understanding for anyone affected by cardiac arrest. They by provide information and resources to those in need including information about expected changes after cardiac arrest.
More info: https://ourheartsight.com/changes-after-cardiac-arrest/
Aussie-First Pilot Program Broadens in Victorian Schools
An Australian-first pilot program that teaches Year 7 Victorian students how to save lives will now be expanded to Years 8 to 10 students.
The Kids Save Lives program aims to improve cardiac arrest survival rates by teaching students how to give life-saving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use an automated external defibrillator (AED).
Minister for Ambulance Services Mary-Anne Thomas said the expansion of the Kids Save Lives program coincides with AV’s annual Shocktober campaign which is also aimed at improving cardiac arrest survival rates.
“Shocktober is all about giving more Victorians who suffer a cardiac arrest a greater chance of returning to their loved ones,” Minister Thomas said. “You don’t have to be a paramedic to save a life – you just need to be able to perform CPR and know how to use an AED.”
Police Officer Resuscitates Man at Pittsburgh International Airport
Officer Marc Pruchnitzky was among the first to arrive at the scene. He found a 43-year-old male unconscious and lying on the floor. Without hesitation, Officer Pruchnitzky utilized an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) and started performing CPR on the distressed individual. His timely actions successfully resuscitated the man.
Following this, the Airport Fire Department and EMS teams promptly arrived to provide further medical assistance. The man was subsequently transported to a local hospital by EMS for further evaluation and care.
Rocker’s wife performed CPR with the help of 911 dispatcher
Heavy metal bass guitarist Sal Italiano spent the day at the casino with his wife, Christine, and her 93-year-old aunt, then they all grabbed a bite to eat on the way back to the couple’s home in Deerfield Beach, Florida. Sal watched TV in one room, while Christine watched in bed. She dozed off, then woke briefly as she felt him get into bed.
When she woke up a little later, the 68-year-old musician was sitting up with his eyes and mouth open. Christine nudged him once, then twice. Getting no response, she grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him. She shook him so hard that he fell off the bed.
Christine immediately called 911. The Broward County Sheriff’s dispatcher answered on the second ring. He asked if Sal was breathing. Realizing he wasn’t, Christine’s emotions surged. “Please don’t go to the light!” she screamed. “Stay with me!”
More: https://www.heart.org/en/news/2023/10/12/rockers-wife-performed-cpr-with-the-help-of-911-dispatcher
Zurich defibrillator dedicated in memory of longtime firefighter
ZURICH – A newly-installed defibrillator at the Zurich ball diamond on Main Street will not only increase safety at the park, but it also honours a late longtime member of the Zurich fire department.
The fire department held a fundraising wing night in 2021 to raise money for a SaveStation public access defibrillator, which was installed at the pavilion beside the ball diamond this past summer. A ceremony was held Saturday, Oct. 7 to unveil the device and dedicate it to the late Rick Gingerich, who was a member of the fire department for 26 years, retiring as deputy chief in 2012. Gingerich, who was the owner of Zurich’s C.G. Farm Supply for 29 years, died in 2019 at the age of 61.
As the practice of colocating lifesaving equipment in defibrillator cabinets grows, states split on placement of naloxone at schools
Thirty-three states have laws that allow schools or school employees to carry, store or administer naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal medication. But some states and school districts struggle with the stigma that comes with it.
The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recommends that schools, including elementary schools, keep naloxone on hand as fatal opioid overdoses rise, particularly from the potent drug fentanyl. And 33 states have laws that expressly allow schools or school employees to carry, store, or administer naloxone, according to Jon Woodruff, managing attorney at the Legislative Analysis and Public Policy Association, which tracks naloxone policies across the country.
More info: https://www.governing.com/health/states-split-on-whether-to-stock-overdose-drugs-in-schools
SNAP A PIC. SAVE A LIFE. WIN A PRIZE.
AED registries serve as the backbone of many novel solutions developed to facilitate rapid identification of the nearest resuscitation-ready AED in an emergency. AED registries, holding information on location and accessibility, may facilitate AED retrieval by enabling rapid identification of the nearest device. Integration of this data with the 911 system is essential. By doing so, bystanders can be directed to nearby and accessible AEDs by emergency telecommunicators, reducing time to first compressions
and shock.
There are several mechanisms for developing these registries including mobile device applications (apps) such as the PulsePoint Foundation PulsePoint AED that can crowdsource the development and maintenance of AED registries. They are conducting a contest during Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness month.
More info: https://www.pulsepoint.org/aedcontest
Zombies Saving Lives? Undeading…
Zombies are everywhere these days and now they are actually dabbling in healthcare! A new PSA from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada shows a horde of zombies saving a woman from cardiac arrest using CPR… and then going back to their zombie-ways. Gillian Pensavalle has more.
See the entire PSA: https://youtu.be/0NGzjFPpuFU?si=voA-g4SZGcoJzBf3
Restart a Heart Day? October 16th
Time to get hands-on again for Restart a Heart.
Every year, an alliance of partners come together to raise awareness of cardiac arrests and help more people learn CPR.
Restart a Heart (RSAH) and World Restart a Heart (WRAH) is an annual initiative which aims to increase the number of people surviving out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.
Whether you’re hosting an event or attending one, teaching in person or learning online, you have a key role to play in improving survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. You can ensure that everyone has a chance to learn CPR and how to use a defibrillator and that those having a sudden cardiac arrest have their best chance of surviving.
The Resuscitation Council-UK has videos, downloadable resources, and more.
More info: https://www.resus.org.uk/get-involved/restart-heart-day