University North students` knowledge and attitudes regarding first aid, reanimation and AED defibrillators

Zastoj rada srca predstavlja nagli prestanak mehaničke aktivnosti srca čime dolazi do potpunog prekida krvotoka i hipoperfuzije tkiva. Očituje se gubitkom svijesti, izostankom palpabilnog perifernog pulsa i prestankom disanja. Budući da je srčani arest stanje koje bez brze intervencije zasigurno završava smrtnim ishodom, od iznimne je važnosti rano prepoznavanje aresta, rani početak kardiopulmonalne reanimacije i defibrilacija te zbrinjavanje reverzibilnih uzroka aresta. Rano prepoznavanje uzroka aresta i pokušaj ispravljanja tog stanja predstavljaju jedini način prekidanja ovoga slijeda događaja koji će neizbježno završiti smrtnim ishodom žrtve srčanog zastoja. Sve poduzete aktivnosti tijekom kardiopulmonalne reanimacije imaju za cilj osiguravanje povratka spontane cirkulacije, uspostavljanje perfuzije srca i mozga i preživljavanje aresta bez neurološkog deficita. Za povećanje stope preživljavanja nakon srčanog aresta ključna i presudna je interakcija između dispečera hitne medicinske službe, laika koji pruža kardiopulmonalnu reanimaciju i pravovremene uporabe automatskog vanjskog defibrilatora, te sve tri karike trebaju biti efikasne kako bi se povećao broj preživjelih nakon izvanbolničkog zastoja srca. U većini svjetskih zajednica, prosječno vrijeme dolaska hitne medicinske službe je 5-8 minuta, a tijekom tog vremena unesrećeni ovisi izravno o pružatelju kardiopulmonalne reanimacije i medicinskom dispečeru. Stoga su podizanje svijesti, senzibilizacija društva te implementacija znanja i vještina o osnovnom oživljavanju u društvo neophodna za spremnije pružatelje kardiopulmonalne reanimacije i posljedično porast stope preživljavanja nakon izvanbolničkog zastoja srca. Medicinska je sestra aktivan član zajednice koja svojim radom i kompetencijama može doprinijeti podizanju svijesti o važnosti ranog započinjanja kardiopulmonalne reanimacije, implementaciji osnovnih znanja i vještina o oživljavanju u društvo te poboljšati kvalitetu zdravstvene njege kroz sve četiri karike u lancu preživljavanja. Metodologija ovog rada kvantitativno je ispitala razinu znanja i stavova studenata Sveučilišta Sjever o pružanju prve pomoći, reanimaciji i AED defibrilatoru, s ciljem uvida u postojeću razinu znanja i stavova te mogućnošću razrade za daljnja istraživanja i edukacije laika i ne-laika iz područja kardiopulmonalne reanimacije.Cardiac arrest is a sudden failure of the heart’s mechanical activity resulting in a complete disruption of the bloodstream and hypoperfusion of the tissues. It is manifested by loss of consciousness, absence of palpable peripheral pulse and cessation of breathing. Since cardiac arrest is a condition that without rapid intervention certainly ends in mortal outcome, early recognition of the arrest is extremely important as well as the early onset of cardiopulmonary reanimation, defibrillation and the remediation of the reversible causes of the arrest. Early recognition of the symptoms as well as the attempts to rectify the condition constitute the only way to stop this series of events which will inevitably end with a fatal outcome of the victim. All activities undertaken during cardiopulmonary reanimation are aimed at ensuring the recurrence of spontaneous circulation, the establishment of perfusion of the heart and brain and survival of the arrest without neurological damage. Emergency medical service, layman who provides cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the uses of the automatic external defibrillator are all very important factors in the increase of the number of survivors of the cardiac arrest. In most of the world's communities, average arrival time of the emergency medical service is 5-8 minutes and during that time the casualties depend entirely on the cardiopulmonary reanimation provider and the medical dispatch. Therefore, it is necessary to raise awareness and implement knowledge and skills on basic revival in the society in order to be more prepared for cardiopulmonary reanimation and consequently to increase of survival rate of the outside-hospital cardiac arrest. The nurse is an active member of the society who through its work and competences could contribute to raising awareness and teaching the importance of early inception of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, implementation of basic knowledge and revival skills in the society as well as to improve quality of healthcare through all four links in the chain of survival. The methodology of this work has quantitatively examined levels of knowledge and attitudes of University North students’ regarding providing first aid, reanimation and AED defibrillator with a goal of a deeper insight into the existing level of knowledge and attitudes and the possibility of working out for further research and education of lay and non-layman in cardiopulmonary reanimation