Dania Lynch

Community attitudes towards performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation in Western Australia

OBJECTIVE to determine the attitudes of the Western Australian community towards performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the factors affecting these attitudes. METHODS telephone survey of a randomly selected sample of people from suburban Perth and rural Western Australia; practical assessment of a sub-sample of volunteers from those surveyed, to correlate survey answers with practical skills. RESULTS of 803 people surveyed, the majority (90.7%) definitely would give mouth-to-mouth ventilation to a friend or relative, but less than half (47.2%) would to a stranger. The reluctance was mostly (56%) because of health and safety concerns, particularly related to HIV infection. Higher percentages of people would definitely provide cardiac massage for a friend or relative (91.4%) or stranger (78.1%). People were more likely to give mouth-to-mouth and cardiac massage if they had been trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), trained several times, trained recently, and used their CPR skills in real life. There were no significant differences between city and country people in whether they would provide CPR, but older people were less willing to provide mouth-to-mouth or cardiac massage. On practical assessment of 100 volunteers, there were significant errors and omissions in airway assessment, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and cardiac massage. Volunteers with better practical scores were more prepared to provide CPR. DISCUSSION our results indicate a significant reluctance of the Western Australia public to perform mouth-to-mouth, except to a friend or relative. Earlier CPR training, practice and use seemed to diminish this reluctance. Practical CPR skills were not well executed. Those with better skills were less reluctant to use them. We recommend increasing CPR training in the community, greater frequency of refresher courses and public education on the risks of CPR to improve rates of bystander CPR.

Community competence in cardiopulmonary resuscitation

The aim of this study was to determine community application of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills in an emergency, and, thus, assess the value of training programmes in raising community competence. A cross-sectional telephone survey of the Western Australian population was chosen randomly (n = 803). An urban sub-sample (n = 100) performed a practical demonstration of CPR skills using a simulated collapse scenario using a recording manikin as the victim. Performance was assessed by two observers using pre-determined criteria. Of all respondents, 64% had been trained in CPR. Practical and theoretical assessment scores were significantly better in trained versus untrained participants. The number of times a person was trained in CPR was more effective for retention and competence than time since last trained. Degree of training and theoretical competence were less in those aged over 65 years or with heart disease in the household. Theoretical competence poorly reflected practical performance in many tasks. This study provides a comprehensive database of CPR training and performance, and highlights future directions to ensure appropriate and cost-effective training. Specific factors to be addressed include increasing frequency of training, targeting of high-risk groups, simplification in teaching, and emphasising early activation of the emergency medical system.

Prospective study of 101 patients with suspected drink spiking

Objective:  To evaluate cases of suspected drink spiking presenting to the ED by the prospective collection of standardized relevant historical, clinical and laboratory data.

Community Senior First Aid training in Western Australia: its extent and effect on knowledge and skills

Objective: To define the extent of Senior First Aid training in a sample of the Western Australian community, and to evaluate the effect of previous training on first aid knowledge and skills.