1. Awareness and Preparedness
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)
Awareness and Preparedness
In Schools and the Community
Presented by Melody Stephens
Project ADAM Coordinator
Texas Children’s Hospital

2. Automated Defibrillators in Adam’s Memory
Project ADAM Texas
Automated Defibrillators in Adam’s Memory
Preparing schools today
for what could happen tomorrow
with a sudden cardiac arrest

4. Online resources available at www.ProjectAdam.com
Vision:
Project ADAM is a National Non-Profit organization committed to saving lives through advocacy, education, preparedness and collaboration to prevent Sudden Cardiac Death. Focused prevention training and education ensures schools and communities are not only equipped, but trained in prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death.
Online resources available at
Including:
Cardiac Emergency Response Plan Template
Cardiac Emergency Response Drill Template
Heart Safe School Checklist
Training Videos

5. OBJECTIVE:
To increase your understanding and awareness of Project ADAM and efforts to prevent Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Death in youth
GOAL:
You will share the Heart Safe Schools Program with schools in your circle of influence.
You will help spread awareness of Sudden Cardiac Arrest in youth and encourage preparedness.
Hands-Only CPR
Community CPR/AED

6. National Affiliates Established Affiliate Sites
Children's Hospital of Wisconsin (National Office)
U.C. Davis Children’s Hospital
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Florida Hospital for Children
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Cook Children’s Medical Center
Texas Children’s Hospital
Children’s of Alabama
East Tennessee Children’s Hospital
Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at
Vanderbilt
Providence Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital
C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital
Children’s Hospital Colorado
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Interested Affiliate Sites {notated in blue)

8. The Stephens Family April 27, 2012

9. How can we prevent Sudden Cardiac Arrest and death in children and youth?18 16
Cody
Kaitlin 20
Brandon

10. Bottom line: Most Sudden Cardiac Arrest Deaths are PREVENTABLE!!!!
Primary Prevention – Improved Screening by adding ECGs to Physicals (for athletes and non-athletes)
Secondary Prevention – Improved Bystander Response with early recognition and Hands Only CPR

11. Project ADAM @ TCH Timeline
Cody Stephens, (son, 18) dies – SCA
Parent Heart Watch Conference
Dustin Chan (area student,14) dies – SCA
Project ADAM at TCH begins
schools began Heart Safe Program
700+ people trained in CPR
Recognized 2 Heart Safe Schools
Over 1,500 trained in CPR
First “Save” Reported
Recognized 10 Heart Safe Schools

12. Heart Safe School Recognition

13. Heart Safe School Requirements:
Cardiac Emergency Response Plan
Specific written plan for each campus
Reviewed and updated annually
Cardiac Emergency Response Team
Designated Coordinator for program
5+ team members certified on CPR & AED
Cardiac Emergency Response Drills
CPR/AED practice Drills – 2 per year
Drill Review and Feedback for Improvement
All Staff Awareness
Annual Sudden Cardiac Arrest Education to Staff
Compressions Only CPR Instruction

14. Sudden Cardiac Arrest:
It can happen to anyone
Average EMS response time is 8-10 minutes
The brain can only wait 3-5 minutes

15. Possible Early Warning Signs
Personal history:
• Chest pain or discomfort with exertion
• Fainting or near-fainting, or possible seizure during exercise
Shortness of breath during exercise
• Excessive and unexplained fatigue with exertion
• Heart murmur, either new or required treatment in the past
• High blood pressure
Family history:
• Unexpected death of family member before age 50
• A relative’s death due to unexplained MV accident or drowning
• Family history of heart conditions
19 conditions - Usually unknown until the worst case event
Many are genetic : If we find one, we can often find others

16. A Sudden Cardiac Arrest is NOT THE SAME as a Heart Attack
Even though the response is the same
_______________________________________________________
Being Unresponsive & Not Breathing Normally
are the only 2 criteria needed to start
CPR and the use of an AED

17. Why Chest Compression Only CPR?
It saves more lives
More likely to survive over:
Doing nothing
Traditional CPR 12
Sarah Friend
Bobrow, et al. JAMA October 2010

18. Blood Flowing To The Brain Blood Flowing To The Brain
Chest Compressions Only
Blood Flowing
To The Brain
Compressions + Breaths (30:2)
Pausing for
breaths means
No Blood Flow
Blood Flowing
To The Brain
Ewy GA, et al. Circulation. 2007;116(22):

19. What Stops People from Doing CPR?
Fear / Concern
Solution
Mouth-to-Mouth
Harming the Person
Legal Consequences
Won’t Perform Properly
Physically Unable
Chest Compressions Only
Better than dead
Good Samaritan Law
Easier to Do
Do Your Best / Call For Help
Need to cite in education documentation format
Coons SJ, et al. Resuscitation 80; :2009
This study was designed and funded by the Sarver Heart Center
The University of Arizona College of Medicine and SHARE

20. Drills are the best way to test the effectiveness of your plan
Goals of Drills
Realistic hands-on practice
Identify weaknesses or areas needing improvement
Build confidence in responders
Meet obligations or regulations
Increase likelihood of a good outcome in the event of an emergency
Drills are a work in progress!
There is always room for learning and improving

21. Conducting CPR/AED Drill
Equipment Needed:
Drills
Manikin (with accessories)
Stop Watch/Timer
Documentation Sheet
AED trainer unit
Drill evaluation sheet
Unannounced
Involve all staff and students
Test the Plan
Test the Responders
Test Communications
Gather objective data
RN should take role of observer and facilitate debriefing discussion

22. How YOU can help: In your Work Place In your Community
Connect Project ADAM resources with patients/families who may benefit
Share Project ADAM program with peers and coworkers that may have connection with our mission
Advocate for SCA awareness and prevention issues
Share Project ADAM with your local school
Become a Site Champion for Project ADAM at your kids school
Volunteer to help with CPR trainings
Be an advocate for CPR/AED education and SCA awareness

23. References
American Heart Association. (2017). Guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care. Retrieved from
Coons, SJ & Guy, MC. (2009). Performing bystander CPR for sudden cardiac arrest: behavioral intentions among the general adult population in Arizona. Resuscitation, 80(3) doi: /j.resuscitation

24. thank You