PHA-Exchange> New international consensus on CPR

[Claudio]

This is important info for everybody!
From: "Vern Weitzel" <vern.weitzel at undp.org>

> A comprehensive, evidence-based review of resuscitation science by
international
> experts has just been released. While universal resuscitation guidelines
have
> not been established, researchers from many countries have furthered the
science
> of resuscitation and updated resuscitation practices that should be
followed.
> The consensus statement reflects "the growing recognition that different
> countries and regions have varied resources and needs."  New European
> (www.erc.edu) and US (www.aha.org) guidelines have been released, and
other
> countries will utilize the consensus statement to develop their own
guidelines.
>
> The major change presented in the consensus statement is increased
emphasis on
> optimal performance of chest compressions. The recommended rate is now 30
> compressions (almost 2 compressions/second) followed by 2 breaths; the
previous
> recommended rate was 15/2.  The new Universal Cardiac Arrest Algorithm is
> applicable to cardiac arrest victims of all ages and in most
circumstances.
>
> The most important determinant of survival after sudden cardiac arrest is
the
> presence of a trained rescuer. While lay rescuers can play an important
role if
> the public is aware and trained, unexpected cardiac arrests also occur
> frequently in hospitals, where treatment may be delayed beyond the
4-5-minute
> required interval and where administered CPR has frequently been found to
not
> comply with guidelines.
>
 Resuscitation is an effective way of
> saving lives and it costs nothing beyond the costs of training personnel
and
> monitoring adherence to protocols. These however are often not a priority
in
> medical education or professional development.
>
This  is an opportunity to update our knowledge and revisit the lifesaving
> potential of this practice in all settings.
>
> Summary of Universal Cardiac Arrest Algorithm:
> "Rescuers begin CPR if the victim is unconscious or unresponsive, not
moving,
> and not breathing (ignoring occasional gasps). A single
compression-ventilation
> ratio of 30:2 is used for the single rescuer of an infant, child, or adult
> victim (excluding newborns); this applies for the lay rescuer and for all
adult
> CPR.  The theme of minimal interruption of chest compressions is
emphasized
> throughout this document; recent evidence indicates that such
interruptions
> occur frequently both in and out of hospital.  Interruptions in chest
> compressions during CPR must be minimized."
>