Training Event: 'Adult Resuscitation' (2/2/2022)

This two-hour course aims to prepare healthcare professionals for the eventuality of a cardiac arrest. To pass this course you are required to demonstrate how you would perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and what extra measures you would take. This is a refresher course that I take yearly to keep my skills sharp and learn of any changes to practice. The correct timings and ratios for CPR are important, as is the depth of the compressions. It is also extremely valuable to know how to assist the crash team, or anyone who is performing CPR. Calling for the crash team, ensuring the area is clear, locating the crash trolley, performing the compressions or breaths, or applying a defibrillator are all potential outcomes of a cardiac arrest and it is my responsibility to remain prepared for these eventualities.

I have experienced many cardiac arrests over the years as part of a very busy in-patient service, and always feel that I am more prepared for these situations due to my training. My confidence increases each time and I am comfortable in my role. I have yet to experience a paediatric arrest, but have also had training in this area and therefore feel I can perform these duties as well. It is always preferable to avoid these situations and wherever possible patients should be stabilised prior to coming to the CT department. However, it is not always possible to know when a cardiac arrest may occur, and many of the arrests I have attended have been stable and well just moments before. For this reason I always maintain contact with patients, and assess them continuously throughout their scans.

The debriefing sessions held by crash teams after an arrest are always extremely helpful to help process these events, and reduce the lasting effects of stress. It’s through these that I am able to discuss with the wider team what was done well, what could improve and if there are any concerns.

Overall I feel confident and happy in my abilities, and believe these sessions greatly help with that.