Emergency centres lack defibrillator knowledge
Date
2010-07
Authors
Louw, Pauline
Maritz, David
Wallis, Lee
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Health and Medical Publishing Group (HMPG)
Abstract
In the emergency centre (EC), a number of
essential items of equipment are needed to manage a wide
variety of acute life-threatening emergencies. Their correct use
depends heavily on the training and experience of personnel.
The defibrillator is part of this essential equipment and
should be available in all ECs. Although defibrillators are
widely available in Western Cape ECs, it is not known whether
public sector EC personnel have the knowledge and skills
necessary to use them safely and effectively.
Most cardiac arrests in adult patients are due to ventricular
fibrillation (VF) or cardiac-related causes, and early
defibrillation improves survival of such patients1,2 and is
therefore an important part of their immediate treatment
(combined with the other links of the chain of survival for both
in- and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest).
Description
The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.za
Keywords
Public hospitals -- Emergency services -- South Africa -- Western Cape, Defibrillators
Citation
Louw, P. Maritz, D. & Wallis, L. 2010. Emergency centres lack defibrillator knowledge. South African Medical Journal, 100(7):435-436a.