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The American Heart Association (AHA) recently published new science and guidelines for emergency cardiovascular care and CPR. Over time, generally around every five years, the American Heart Association looks at studies and data over time, including trials, to find out what is working in emergency care and CPR, and what could use changing or updating. Any changes recommended are scientifically based and included in a report. Based on these results they determine what, if any, changes should be made to increase survival rates for emergency care. The last guideline update came in 2015.
For CPR training providers it means educating on what has changed and what are the most efficient ways to perform CPR to pass on to the public and those needing training. There are generally new course videos, presentations, manuals and more. For the student it generally means a refreshed look and feel for the course and being able to stay up to date on the most current methods of CPR that will lead to the most positive outcomes.
In the new CPR guidelines that were recently issued by the American Heart Association, the importance of bystander CPR was re-emphasized. “Cardiac arrest is a life-or-death situation,” the AHA committee chair said. “When every second counts, it’s important for lay people to be ready and willing to start CPR.”
At first glance there aren’t a lot of ‘major’ changes that would require those who have been trained before to need immediate re-training or to drastically change what they’ve been taught on how to perform CPR. The new guidelines recommend that bystanders perform CPR even if they aren’t sure whether the victim is in cardiac arrest or not. The risk of harm from CPR is very low – especially when compared to the potential risk of cardiac arrest. Because of this the curriculum and message of CPR will be continuing to encourage everyone to knowhow to perform CPR and how to act in case of emergency.
In a change, the new CPR guidelines have added recovery to the “chain of survival.” The chain of survival is a series of actions that determine how and to what extent a patient will recover from cardiac arrest or needing CPR. Those actions include calling 911, performing high quality CPR, and using an automated external defibrillator (AED).
The new recovery phase includes treatment, surveillance and rehabilitation, which includes monitoring and treating depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress caused by the cardiac arrest and heart disease treatment.
The new guidelines also included efforts to encourage bystander CPR and discusses how technology can play a part in that. The AHA suggests leveraging mobile phone technology to alert bystanders of a nearby cardiac event. In addition, there is a need for bystander training tailored to specific racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic populations that traditionally have lower rates of bystander CPR.
New science and guidelines are out, which is a good thing for training providers and the public as the AHA and other organizations continue to stay current on the best practices for CPR and emergencies. If you’d like to know more, contact a training provider or visit Heart.org for information.
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Tim Smith is an EMT and a former full-time Twin Cities Fire Captain who founded HeartCert in 2010 with his wife Christina, a Registered Nurse and former Paramedic. Tim and Christina have a true love for helping others and are passionate about education and enhancing the community, so starting a CPR training company was a perfect fit for them. Tim started out doing 1 on 1 CPR and First Aid certification classes in his living room before expanding into multiple locations throughout the state of Minnesota and adding 20+ very skilled, highly trained, healthcare professionals who share in his love for bettering their community and fun teaching style. HeartCert continues to grow as a local, family owned business. Tim’s mission is to support that of the American Heart Association and American Red Cross which strives to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. To better achieve this mission HeartCert has expanded outside of the Twin Cities Minnesota Metro area and now offers courses in multiple regions and states.
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The American Heart Association (AHA) recently published new science and guidelines for emergency cardiovascular care and CPR. Over time, generally around every five years, the American Heart Association looks at studies and data over time, including trials, to find out what is working in emergency care and CPR, and what could use changing or updating. Any changes recommended are scientifically based and included in a report. Based on these results they determine what, if any, changes should be made to increase survival rates for emergency care. The last guideline update came in 2015.
For CPR training providers it means educating on what has changed and what are the most efficient ways to perform CPR to pass on to the public and those needing training. There are generally new course videos, presentations, manuals and more. For the student it generally means a refreshed look and feel for the course and being able to stay up to date on the most current methods of CPR that will lead to the most positive outcomes.
In the new CPR guidelines that were recently issued by the American Heart Association, the importance of bystander CPR was re-emphasized. “Cardiac arrest is a life-or-death situation,” the AHA committee chair said. “When every second counts, it’s important for lay people to be ready and willing to start CPR.”
At first glance there aren’t a lot of ‘major’ changes that would require those who have been trained before to need immediate re-training or to drastically change what they’ve been taught on how to perform CPR. The new guidelines recommend that bystanders perform CPR even if they aren’t sure whether the victim is in cardiac arrest or not. The risk of harm from CPR is very low – especially when compared to the potential risk of cardiac arrest. Because of this the curriculum and message of CPR will be continuing to encourage everyone to knowhow to perform CPR and how to act in case of emergency.
In a change, the new CPR guidelines have added recovery to the “chain of survival.” The chain of survival is a series of actions that determine how and to what extent a patient will recover from cardiac arrest or needing CPR. Those actions include calling 911, performing high quality CPR, and using an automated external defibrillator (AED).
The new recovery phase includes treatment, surveillance and rehabilitation, which includes monitoring and treating depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress caused by the cardiac arrest and heart disease treatment.
The new guidelines also included efforts to encourage bystander CPR and discusses how technology can play a part in that. The AHA suggests leveraging mobile phone technology to alert bystanders of a nearby cardiac event. In addition, there is a need for bystander training tailored to specific racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic populations that traditionally have lower rates of bystander CPR.
New science and guidelines are out, which is a good thing for training providers and the public as the AHA and other organizations continue to stay current on the best practices for CPR and emergencies. If you’d like to know more, contact a training provider or visit Heart.org for information.
Vlad Magdalin
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