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Clinical Quality and Patient Safety

Information for GPs and Clinicians

Resuscitation Advice

Attending healthcare professionals should be aware that because the defibrillators carried on ambulances are automated, their operation dictates strict adherence to South Western Ambulance Service protocols. All personnel assisting in resuscitation should stop Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and stand clear for a few seconds while the defibrillator analyses the rhythm in preparation to shock the patient.

The algorithms, developed by the Resuscitation Council and followed by South Western Ambulance Service ambulance crews can be viewed online at www.resus.org.uk

Healthcare Professionals at the Scene of an Incident

Please introduce yourself to ambulance staff, providing identification if possible, so that ambulance crews can utilise your expertise. If a healthcare professional initiates a clinical procedure which falls outside of Trust protocols and/or ambulance staff training, then the healthcare professional assumes a duty of care for the patient and is required to travel to hospital with the patient.

Defibrillation Advice

Anyone assisting with resuscitation should cease CPR and stand clear when the defibrillator is activated.

When the defibrillator analyses the patient’s rhythm in preparation for administering a shock, it may interpret artefact caused by CPR as a heart rhythm and prevent the machine from operating correctly.

Trust Headquarters, Unit 3 Abbey Court, Sowton Industrial Estate, Exeter, EX2 7HY, Tel: 01392 261500, Fax: 01392 261510, Email: publicrelations@swast.nhs.uk

Copyright © 2006 South Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust