telephone assisted cpr ottawa paramedic service experiences to date regional heart saver symposium...
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Telephone Assisted CPR
Ottawa Paramedic Service
Experiences to Date
Regional Heart Saver Symposium
November 5, 2005Presented by : Gintaras(Gint)Nagys
BackgroundEarly CPR is the first link in the “Chain of Survival”
Increases the effectiveness of other community based programs, such as PAD and CPR programs
Implementation Implemented in April 2004. All Communications officers in Ottawa receive training.
Protocols for:
1. Adult/Child/Infant 2. Choking- Conscious3. CPR Unconscious4. Defined script for each is used.
On average the Paramedic Communications Centre receives approx. 770 Vital Signs Absent (VSA) calls per year.
Non verified totals of approx. 30 % acceptance when offered by Communications Officers
Implementation
While empirical data is being developed, several documented success stories exist where early CPR, in combination with improving response times and ALS techniques have made a difference.
Hindrances to telephone assisted CPR observed include:
•proximity/access to patient •difficulty in confirming vital signs absent•inability or unwillingness to perform due to emotional distress
Future Directions
Integration of protocols directly into the computer support systems
On going training of the public to continue to increase the awareness and importance of early CPR
Monitoring of telephone assisted CPR to enhance effectiveness