Resuscitation
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Trauma is an inevitable consequence of the lives we lead. There are many approaches to dealing with it but an ideal system, universally applicable, probably does not exist because of the national variations in social, economic, cultural and geographical characteristics. Many countries are beginning to recognise that the 'systems' they have in place for dealing with the burden of trauma are seriously deficient and that this situation cannot be allowed to continue into the new millennium. ⋯ Throughout many countries, the individual components of trauma care systems are in place but, for whatever reasons, there is a lack of integration, which results in suboptimal care. The system we all should be aiming for is one of closer communication and greater cooperation. By taking into account community and national needs, available resources, and adapting what is currently in place it should then be possible to create 'a set of things working together as parts of a trauma mechanism'.
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In western countries, injuries remain the leading cause of death in young adults (Jennett B. Epidemiology of head injury. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1996; 60: 362-369). ⋯ In: Cooper PR, Ed. Head Injury, 3rd ed. Baltimore, MD: William Wilkins, 1993), and in addition to causing death often causes severe and long-lasting functional impairment in survivors.
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Considering that heart patients may be at higher risk for cardiac arrest, this study was conducted to evaluate the preparedness and willingness of cardiac patient family members to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). A cross-sectional survey of 100 family members of cardiac patients was conducted at a tertiary care emergency department over a 1.5-month period. Response rate was 95%. ⋯ The most frequently reported barriers to performing CPR included fear of harming the patient or a lack of knowledge and skill to help. Despite a presumed higher risk for sudden cardiac death, most family members of cardiac patients do not maintain skills in basic CPR. Healthcare professionals may have the ability to significantly alter this concerning statistic through education and routine recommendations to patients' families.