School District Assessment for Sudden Cardiac Arrest Preparation

Abstract

A literature review on pediatric sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) suggests that school nurses nationwide are well supported in their responsibilities to manage SCA in school children, despite budget and equipment challenges. In this Masters project, school nurses in a district in the Pacific Northwest completed an online survey to assess their perceptions of personal and organizational preparedness to respond to SCA. As described by the AHA, best practices include: an effective and efficient communication system; coordination, practice, and evaluation of a response plan; risk reduction; training and equipment for CPR and first aid; and in some schools, establishment of an automated external defibrillator (AED) program. Forty-four percent of respondents reported that they have received an adequate amount of resources, support, training and preparation in their school to manage a sudden cardiac arrest event.