Presence and use of automated external defibrillators in occupational setting, Belgium

Objectives: Few studies focus on out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the occupational setting. Therefore, this study describes the presence and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) at Belgian workplaces during the period 2012-2014. Material and Methods: A self-constructed questionnaire was developed and sent to internal prevention counselors. Results: In total, 767 companies filled out the questionnaire. An AED was available in 48.8% of the companies. Presence mainly depended on the number of persons present in the company (both workers and non-workers (e.g., visitors, clients)) and... Mehr ...

Verfasser: Verbrugghe, Mathieu
De Ridder, Maurits
Kalaai, Mouloud
Mortelmans, Katrien
Calle, Paul
Braeckman, Lutgart
Dokumenttyp: journalarticle
Erscheinungsdatum: 2018
Schlagwörter: Medicine and Health Sciences / Emergency medicine / Cardiopulmonary resuscitation / Automated external defibrillators / AED / Occupational health / Out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest / HOSPITAL CARDIAC-ARREST / RESUSCITATION COUNCIL GUIDELINES / WORKPLACE / SURVIVAL
Sprache: Englisch
Permalink: https://search.fid-benelux.de/Record/base-28551578
Datenquelle: BASE; Originalkatalog
Powered By: BASE
Link(s) : https://biblio.ugent.be/publication/8576247

Objectives: Few studies focus on out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the occupational setting. Therefore, this study describes the presence and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) at Belgian workplaces during the period 2012-2014. Material and Methods: A self-constructed questionnaire was developed and sent to internal prevention counselors. Results: In total, 767 companies filled out the questionnaire. An AED was available in 48.8% of the companies. Presence mainly depended on the number of persons present in the company (both workers and non-workers (e.g., visitors, clients)) and on some occupational cardiovascular risks but was often not based on a well-conducted risk analysis. Training of workers and AED maintenance were provided appropriately. An AED was used for shocking 23 times of which 10 persons survived. Conclusions: Acquiring an AED in the occupational setting is seldom based on a well-conducted risk analysis. Therefore, instructions and criteria are needed to come to a rational decision. Furthermore, a registry on AED utilization in the workplace (e.g., with data on long-term survival) should be set up.