Prevention Beat

 

June 4, 2009

 

 

The first week of June is "National Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Awareness Week"

 

Only about six percent of out-of-hospital Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) victims survive.  Without immediate, effective CPR, the chance of surviving out-of-hospital SCA decreases seven to 10 percent per minute.  Even if CPR is performed, defibrillation with an AED is required to stop the abnormal rhythm and restore a normal heart rhythm.

 

It is estimated that on average it takes 8 to 10 minutes for first responders (9-1-1) to reach a victim.  Therefore, it is essential for the public to be trained and certified in lifesaving skills in order to feel comfortable performing CPR and using an AED until advanced help arrives.   This number can vary depending on your location.  Why is this important?

 

The reason that this is so important is because after four minutes without oxygen going to your brain it will begin to die.  After eight minutes it becomes the point of no return, irreversible brain death begins to occur.  So even if the heart is restarted, the damage after eight minutes can never come back.  This is why we need people to do CPR.

 

Most Americans don’t believe they could perform CPR and use an AED to help save a life in a cardiac emergency, according to a recent American Heart Association survey.  In an online survey of more than 1,100 adults, 89 percent said they were willing and able to do something to help if they witnessed a medical emergency yet only 21 percent were confident they could perform CPR, and only 15 percent believed they could use an AED in an emergency.  More than half of those surveyed didn’t recognize an AED in a typical setting.  Survey respondents reported lack of confidence, concern about legal consequences and fear of hurting a victim as reasons they would not take action in a cardiac emergency.

 

Effective bystander CPR, provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest, can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival.  Unless CPR and defibrillation are provided within minutes of collapse, few attempts at resuscitation are successful.  New technology has made AEDs simple and user-friendly.  Clear audio and visual cues tell users what to do when using an AED and coach people through CPR.  A shock is delivered only if the victim needs it.

 

Less than one-third of out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest victims receive bystander CPR.  National CPR and AED week was created to encourage the public to get CPR training and learn how to use an AED to reduce death and disability from sudden cardiac arrest..  Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone at any time.  Many victims appear healthy with no known heart disease or other risk factors. 

 

To learn more about CPR and AED’s visit the American Heart Association’s web page at:  www.americanheart.org.

 

OHS-COMPCARE can provide CPR training for your employees and help your company establish their AED program.  To learn more please contact our Client Services Team at 816-561-2105 (option 1) or by email at customerservice@ohscompcare.com or visit us on-line at www.ohscompcare.com..

 

 

*Please feel free to forward this information to any member of management in your company who would benefit from it.*

 

To view the Tip of the Week in Spanish please visit our Tip of the Week library at http://www.ohscompcare.com/totw/

 

Why choose us?  Because OHS-COMPCARE delivers excellent customer service.  Patient satisfaction rate exceeds 98%.

 

OHS-COMPCARE has seven (7) area clinical facilities:

 

Independence Clinical Facility

Johnson County Clinical Facility

St. Joseph Clinical Facility

Grandview Clinical Facility

19000 E. Eastland Center Crt, St. 200

10415 Lackman Road

904 Edmond Street

13830 S Us Highway 71

Independence, MO 64055

Lenexa, KS 66219

St. Joseph, MO 64501

Grandview, MO 64030

816-478-9299

913-495-9905

816-233-7702

816-761-4664

After Hours Available

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KCMO/Broadway Clinical Facility

KCMO/Front Street Clinical Facility

Wyandotte County Clinical Facility

 

1650 Broadway

6501 East Commerce, Suite 110

1333 Meadowlark Lane, Suite 200

 

Kansas City, MO 64108

Kansas City, MO 64120

Kansas City, KS  66102

 

816-842-2020

816-483-5550

913-596-2774

 

 

In addition, Adult Quick Care is now open in the following locations and provides Urgent Care to Adults and Adolescents Age 14 and Older.   

 

1650 Broadway, Kansas City MO 64108 ♦ Clinic Hours:  Mon-Fri 8am – 5pm

19000 E. Eastland Center Court, Suite 300, Independence MO 64055 ♦ Clinic Hours: Mon-Fri 8am – 10pm

10415 Lackman Road, Lenexa KS 66219 ♦ Clinic Hours:  Mon-Fri 8am – 5pm

1333 Meadowlark Lane, Suite 200, Kansas City KS 66102 ♦ Clinic Hours:  Mon-Fri 8am – 5pm

904 Edmond Street, St. Joseph MO 64501 ♦ Clinic Hours:  Mon-Fri 7am – 5pm

6501 E. Commerce Ave, Suite 110, Kansas City MO 64120 ♦ Clinic Hours:  Mon-Fri 8am – 5pm

13830 S. US Highway 70, Grandview MO 64030 ♦ Clinic Hours:  Mon-Fri 8am – 5pm

 

When you are sick or have a new injury, Adult Quick Care is your affordable, time saving choice for quality care.

 

No appointment is necessary at Adult Quick Care.

 

To learn more about Adult Quick Care please call 816-559-6320 or visit www.adultquickcare.com.