The Cardiology Department at St George's University Hospital, supported by Professor Sanjay Sharma, is conducting a survey on cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of automatic external defibrillators (AED) in London schools. The results will help to improve the standards of schools’ healthcare in the future. We would like to invite you to take part in the survey (external link).
See more information about the project below:
My name is Dr Dimitra Antonakaki and I am one of the doctors working at St George’s, University of London in the cardiology department of St George’s Hospital. I am writing to you on behalf of our research team, in order to ask for your valuable help on our project.
This project is on the use of automatic external defibrillators (AED) and their establishment at schools of England.
As you might know, an AED is a machine used to give an electric shock (also known as defibrillation) when a person is in cardiac arrest, i.e. when the heart stops beating normally. Cardiac arrest can affect people of any age and without warning. If this happens, swift action in the form of early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and prompt defibrillation can help save a person’s life. The likelihood of successful resuscitation drops rapidly over the first ten minutes after cardiac arrest so rapid defibrillation is crucial to a successful resuscitation.
The precise number of cardiac arrests in the UK each year is uncertain, but is thought to be up to 60,000. In England the ambulance services attempt resuscitation in approximately 28,000 people, of whom less than 10% survive. Approximately 270 children die every year of sudden cardiac arrest at school, usually due to asymptomatic cardiac conditions. Overall survival rates vary across the country, but currently range between 2% and 12%.
The purchase and installation of AEDs are entirely for schools to determine at the moment.
Our short questionnaire on the current use of AEDs in schools (external link) includes demographics of your school, questions on any AED devices you might have and some questions on utilisation of the device. It will take you less than 5 minutes to complete and will help us to extract significant information on the current situation in the country.
I really appreciate your time and contribution that will help us to improve the standards on schools’ healthcare in the future.
Kindest regards
Dr Dimitra Antonakaki, Cardiology Registrar, MD
Email: d.antonakaki@nhs.net
Telephone: 07960 395614
One reply on “Take part in a research project on the use of defibrillators in schools”
Hi Dr Antonakaki
a Defibulator has been on the schools wish list for a few years now.. With decreasing budgets and cutbacks it never seems to be a priority,
Do you know iof any funding scheme that we could apply to for a defibulator? Any leads would be brilliant
many thanks