High quality CPR: BLS cardiac arrest care
Providing accurate ventilations and oxygenation in concert with effective chest compressions and timely defibrillation contributes to saving lives in the BLS setting
The American Heart Association's regular revisions to its CPR and emergency cardiovascular care guidelines have included changes to epinephrine, therapeutic hypothermia, and compression-to-ventilation ratios over the years. Learn more about the AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC 2020 updates with:
- 2020 AHA CPR and ECC guidelines: A quick start-guide for EMS: Greg Friese, MS, NRP, offers 4 tips for understanding the changes and implementing the guidelines
- AHA Guidelines 2020: An EMS overview: Kenny Navarro explains what the recommendations mean for EMS treatment of adult and pediatric cardiac arrest related to epinephrine, compression depth and rate, intraosseous access and double sequential defibrillation
- 5 steps to delivering high-quality CPR: Michael Fraley, BS, BA, NRP, notes the 2020 guidelines continue to emphasize high-quality CPR
In EMS, it is common practice to learn and perform basic life support interventions before advanced life support, and an intro to basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation is taught in emergency medical responder and emergency medical technician entry levels certifications.
Michael W. Dailey, MD, FACEP, FAEMS, Division of Prehospital and Operational Medicine Chief, Professor of Emergency Medicine, Albany Medical Center, explained how patients in sudden cardiac arrest are treated at a session presented at the EMS World Expo.
Dr. Dailey emphasized the importance of the changes in cardiac arrest care that has occurred in throughout the years. “EMTs save lives,” Dailey noted. “Never let anyone say you are ‘just an EMT!’”