Cardiac Arrest in Schools

Abstract

Background-The purpose of the present study is to improve understanding of the epidemiology of cardiac arrest in the school setting, with a special focus on the role of school-based automated external defibrillators. Methods and Results-The investigation was a retrospective study of emergency medical service-treated, nontraumatic, out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in Seattle and King County, Washington, that occurred in schools between 1990 and 2005. Cases were identified with cardiac arrest location data from emergency medical service cardiac arrest registries. Patient characteristics, cardiac arrest characteristics, and outcome information were abstracted from the registries and incident report forms. During the study period, 97 cardiac arrests occurred in schools, accounting for 0.4% of all treated cardiac arrests and 2.6% of public location cardiac arrests. Of the 97 cases, 12 cardiac arrests were among students, 33 among faculty and staff, and 45 among adults not employed by the school (7 adults with indeterminate school association). School-based cardiac arrest occurred on average in 1 of 111 schools annually, with a greater annual incidence among colleges (1 cardiac arrest per 8 colleges) than high schools (1 per 125 high schools) or lower-level schools (1 cardiac arrest per 200 preschools through middle schools). The estimated annual incidence of cardiac arrest was 0.18 per 100 000 person-years among students and 4.51 per 100 000 person-years for school faculty and staff. Conclusions-The present study characterizes school-setting cardiac arrest and provides a framework within which to consider preparation efforts and outcome expectations.

Pediatric Sudden Cardiac Arrest

“…76 A 2007 report detailed a 16-year history of SCA in Seattle city and King county schools, providing a framework for reasonable and rational school-based emergency programs. 77 A growing number of states have mandated school AED programs. The costeffectiveness of school AED programs has been reported by Berger et al 78 Key components for a comprehensive school-preparedness program include education and all-staff awareness, knowledge and application of effective bystander CPR techniques, implementation of a lay-rescuer AED program, and written emergency action plans, 79 with all steps reinforced with effective communication throughout the school campus and periodic practice drills.…”

Comparing the Effect of Lecture-Based Training and Basic Life Support Training Package on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Knowledge and Skill of Teachers

“…Pottle and Brant (2000) said that only education of BLS and ALS is effective in the success of these procedures and consequently in lifesaving procedures (10). Also, Phillips (2007) stated that the global standards consider BLS training course as a prerequisite for all the people (11).…”

“…Many of these conditions are not detectable by routine screening in schools. Thus, cardiac arrest is the first sign of this problem (11).…”

“…The frequency of cardiac arrest is about 3 times higher among teachers and school personnel than students (11). Death of young students due to cardiac arrest arouses emotions in the family and society and increases the concern about the vulnerability of other school-aged children (12).…”

Developing Training Programs to Save Lives: Serving Students with Complex or Emergency Healthcare Needs

“…In a 16-year study, Lotfi et al (2007) classified by setting all incidents of SCA in King County and the city of Seattle in Washington state. During that time period, 3,773 cardiac arrests occurred in public locations and 97 (2.6% of all public cardiac arrests) took place in schools.…”