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An update on current resuscitation council (UK) guidelines Sarah L McKernon Laura Kaura Kathryn H Taylor Samantha Reid Mary C Balmer Dental Update 2024 44:4, 707-709.
Authors
Sarah LMcKernon
BDS, MFDS RCS(Ed), FHEA
Clinical Lecturer/Hon StR Oral Surgery, Liverpool University Dental Hospital, Liverpool, UK
On 15 October 2015, The Resuscitation Council (UK) published new resuscitation guidelines following the review of resuscitation science by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR). The 2015 guidelines emphasize the importance of interactions between the emergency medical dispatcher, the bystander who provides cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the prompt deployment of an automated external defibrillator (AED); the co-ordination of these three elements is crucial to improving out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival. Medical emergencies in dental practices are thought to occur on average once every 3–4 years per dentist in primary care. The GDC consider medical emergencies as a highly recommended topic for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and recommend at least 10 hours in every CPD cycle.
CPD/Clinical Relevance: The publication of the updated guidelines serves as a reminder to the clinical team of the importance of being up to date with recognition and treatment of cardiac arrest and choking and how seamless interaction between members of both the dental and medical teams improves long-term outcomes for patients.
Article
On 15 October 2015, The Resuscitation Council (UK) published new resuscitation guidelines following the review of resuscitation science by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR).1 These guidelines followed the same development process as in 2010 and the process is accredited by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
Guideline changes are based on current scientific research and are aimed at simplifying clinical practice, enhancing education and improving outcomes. Unusually, for the first time in recent years, the new guidelines do not include any significant changes to core interventions or processes. The evidence would suggest that current practice is correct but, unfortunately, not consistent or to a high enough standard.1
The 2015 guidelines emphasize the importance of interactions between the emergency medical dispatcher, the bystander who provides cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the prompt deployment of an automated external defibrillator (AED); the co-ordination of these three elements is crucial to improving out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival.
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