The use of an automatic defibrillator by non-sanitary personnel in sport areas: an Observational Study

Main Article Content

Roberto Lupo
Giulia Giordano
Giovanna Artioli
Antonino Calabrò
Cosimo Caldararo
Simone Zacchino
Luana Conte
Pietro Santoro
Maria Chiara Carriero
Maicol Carvello

Keywords

External Automatic Defibrillator (AED), responsibility, training, athlete, nurse

Abstract

Introduction: In industrialized countries, sudden cardiac death is a serious public health problem that accounts for about 15% to 20% of all deaths, with an incidence of 0.5 to 3 deaths per 100,000 athletes. In recent years, although both first aid prevention programs and the availability of External Automatic Defibrillator (AED) in public places have increased, few data are available with respect to real knowledge about the use of such devices. The aim of this study is to detect the level of knowledge and skills in the use of automatic external defibrillators among sports and management staff in sports facilities. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, multicentre study conducted in 16 sports facilities in the Province of Lecce, Italy, and targeted to all the athletic and managerial staff of these sports facilities. Information was obtained through a validated questionnaire consisting of 27 items. Results: 339 participants of which 59.3% male (n=201) (average=33.6; SD=13.1). 51.6% (n=175) were informed about the presence of the defibrillator, only 38.1% (n=129) declared to know where it was placed and 43.7% (n=96) considered it to be quite or very accessible. The majority of them (78.8%; n=267) were never involved in a training course and declared limited knowledge about the use of this device. Conclusions: Respondents stated that they have poor knowledge and skills in the use of the defibrillator, its operation and maintenance, which could reduce the positive outcomes of early treatment. Further studies should be conducted, although it may be appropriate to implement specific training courses for personnel working in sports centres.

Abstract 815 | PDF Downloads 228

References

1. Meyer L, Stubbs B, Fahrenbruch C, Maeda C, Harmon K, Eisenberg M, et al. Incidence, causes, and survival trends from cardiovascular-related sudden cardiac arrest in children and young adults 0 to 35 years of age: a 30-year review. Circulation. 2012;126:1363–72.
2. Perkins GD, Handley AJ, Koster RW, Castrén M, Smyth MA, Olasveengen T, et al. European Resuscitation Council Guidelines for Resuscitation 2015: Section 2. Adult basic life support and automated external defibrillation. Resuscitation. 2015;95:81–99.
3. Capucci A, Aschieri D, Piepoli MF, Bardy GH, Iconomu E, Arvedi M. Tripling survival from sudden cardiac arrest via early defibrillation without traditional education in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Circulation. 2002;106:1065–70.
4. Kitamura T, Kiyohara K, Sakai T, Matsuyama T, Hatakeyama T, Shimamoto T, et al. Public-access defibrillation and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Japan. N Engl J Med. 2016;375:1649–59.
5. Zorzi A, Gasparetto N, Stella F, Bortoluzzi A, Cacciavillani L, Basso C. Surviving out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: Just a matter of defibrillators? Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine. 2014;15:616–23.
6. Edwards MJ, Fothergill RT. Exercise-related sudden cardiac arrest in London: incidence, survival and bystander response. Open Hear. 2015;2:e000281.
7. Marijon E, Tafflet M, Celermajer DS, Dumas F, Perier M-C, Mustafic H, et al. Sports-related sudden death in the general population. Circulation. 2011;124:672–81.
8. Zorzi A, Susana A, Spadotto V, Cacciavillani L, Corrado D. (Sudden cardiac arrest in Italian sports facilities in 2015: epidemiological implications of the so-called “Balduzzi decree”). G Ital Cardiol (Rome). 2016;17:903–7.
9. Decreto Ministeriale 26 Aprile 2017. Linee guida sulla dotazione e l’utilizzo di defibrillatori semiautomatici e di eventuali altri dispositivi salvavita da parte delle associazioni e delle società sportive dilettantistiche (17A04597). 2017. https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/gu/2017/06/28/149/sg/pdf.
10. Decreto Ministeriale 24 Aprile 2013. Disciplina della certificazione dell’attività sportiva non agonistica e amatoriale e linee guida sulla dotazione e l’utilizzo di defibrillatori semiautomatici e di eventuali altri dispositivi salvavita. (13A06313). 2013. https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/gu/2013/07/20/169/sg/pdf.
11. Taniguchi T, Omi W, Inaba H. Attitudes toward automated external defibrillator use in Japan. Resuscitation. 2008;79:288–91.
12. Taniguchi T, Sato K, Kurita A, Noda T, Okajima M. Attitudes toward automated external defibrillator use in Japan in 2011. J Anesth. 2014;28:34–7.
13. Bogle B, Mehrotra S, Chiampas G, Aldeen AZ. Assessment of knowledge and attitudes regarding automated external defibrillators and cardiopulmonary resuscitation among American University students. Emerg Med J. 2013;30:837–41.
14. Schober P, Van Dehn FB, Bierens JJLM, Loer SA, Schwarte LA. Public access defibrillation: Time to access the public. Ann Emerg Med. 2011;58:240–7.
15. Cronin O, Jordan J, Quigley F, Molloy MG. Prepared for sudden cardiac arrest? A cross-sectional study of automated external defibrillators in amateur sport. Br J Sports Med. 2013;47:1171–4.
16. Roscio G, Genuini I, Silvetti E, Pellegrino M, Basso V. Arresto cardiaco oggi: Dati sovrastimanti o vera epidemia? La Riv medica online. 2013;1.
17. (ILCOR) TAHA in collaboration with the ILC on R. Guidelines 2000 for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care : An international consensus on science. Circulation. 2000;102.
18. Stratil P, Sterz F, Haugk M, Wallmüller C, Schober A, Hörburger D, et al. Exercise related cardiac arrest in amateur athletes on the tennis court. Resuscitation. 2011;82:1004–7.
19. Drezner JA, Rao AL, Heistand J, Bloomingdale MK, Harmon KG. Effectiveness of emergency response planning for sudden cardiac arrest in United States high schools with automated external defibrillators. Circulation. 2009;120:518–25.
20. Eames P, Larsen PD, Galletly DC. Comparison of ease of use of three automated external defibrillators by untrained lay people. Resuscitation. 2003;58:25–30.
21. Mosesso VN, Shapiro AH, Stein K, Burkett K, Wang H. Effects of AED device features on performance by untrained laypersons. Resuscitation. 2009;80:1285–9.