Here are five takeaways:
1. In Detroit, the survival rate for cardiac arrests is about 3 percent.
2. The improvement in Seattle and King County may be attributed to more EMS training for providers as well as spreading awareness that cardiac arrest is a treatable condition.
3. One expert claims if Seattle’s innovations were implemented around the country for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, almost 30,000 lives could be saved each year.
4. On average, CPR is performed for 15 minutes to 20 minutes. However, research shows longer attempts at CPR, up to one hour, can lead to survival.
5. The American Heart Association published an update on its resuscitation guidelines, emphasizing the pertinence of bystanders immediately giving CPR, and providers in hospitals forming integrated systems in the chain of survival.
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