|
When all of the links of the Chain of Survival are acted upon,
at least 40 percent of sudden cardiac arrest victims can be saved. Acute
Myocardial Infarction (AMI) is also know as sudden cardiac arrest strikes
about 350,000 each year. The existing emergency system used to deal
with this immense problem is able to save only 5 percent, nationally.
When Americans spend most of their waking hours at work, this type of emergency
is bound to effect all of us. This old problem has a solution that human
resources and employee benefit managers easily can implement.
Effective resuscitation of any heart attack victim is most
likely if the steps to save a life are promptly provided by trained
personnel. In the workplace, this system of response has been labeled the
"Chain of Survival" by the American Heart Association.
The Chain of Survival includes these steps:
-
early recognition and prevention of a heart attack
-
prompt activation of the emergency medical services (EMS)
system
-
performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
-
quick defibrillation at the scene, and
-
an expeditious connection to advanced care such as paramedics.
Understanding the Chain of Survival in the following steps
can mitigate cardiac arrest emergencies. CPR alone is not enough to
save lives. It is very rare that a person will revive with CPR alone if
they are in cardiac arrest. CPR helps the person’s body survive because
you are breathing and pumping their blood for them until they get
specialized medical treatment. CPR is a very vital link in the chain of
survival.
-
Early Recognition: Know the signs of a
Heart Attack or Stroke:
-
Early Access: Getting to the patient ASAP and
calling 911. It is important to notify emergency personnel about the
emergency: Phone First - Phone Fast. Don’t hang-up they will ask you
many questions like, “Where the emergency is..Telephone number... What
happened... How many persons need help... Condition... What is being
done... YOU HANG UP LAST!
-
Early CPR: When and how to provide rescue
breathing and/or compressions.
-
Early Defibrillation: Ventricular Fibrillation is
the most frequent initial heart rhythm in adult cardiac arrest. This is
a chaotic heart rhythm that prevents the heart from pumping blood.
Rapid defibrillation is the most important single factor in determining survival.
Most cardiac arrest victims are in ventricular fibrillation (VF). Simply stated,
the heartbeat is chaotic and ineffective - more like quivering than pumping.
The only treatment for VF is defibrillation, shocking the heart into a regular
rhythm.
The Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is the tool used for this purpose,
they are automated and very easy to use. The key factor is time. When the
user applies the AED, this increases survival dramatically, up to 90 percent
in some studies.
Forty states in the United States have adopted advanced legislation that allows
for AEDs to be used by non medical, CPR trained people.
-
Early Advanced Care: includes advanced life
support: emergency meds, etc...
|
