Title of research: Competence and Confidence of Basic Life Saving Measures Within the Retail Setting
Purpose of Research Study:
The aim of this study is to explore the confidence and competence of adult retail employees in responding to emergency situations for bystanders. Participants will receive training in basic life-saving skills (First Aid/CPR/AED) which will enhance their ability to assist the community during emergencies. Additionally, the research seeks to provide education on occupational therapy, with use of the OTPF, enabling individuals to serve the community through occupational justice. This education will cover important topics such as occupational roles, habits, and routines related to occupational therapy. It will also address the significance of meaningful occupations, the impact of instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), the responsibilities involved in serving customers and coworkers, and the overall quality of life in the workplace.
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) are the leading cause of death worldwide, with an incidence of about 75-96 cases per 100,000 adults per year (Partynski, 2023). An OHCA affects around 359,000 individuals in the United States every year (Salvatierra, 2017). Approximately every tenth individual who experiences an OHCA survives to discharge (Partynski, 2023). Individuals who experience an OHCA require immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation, which is a lifesaving measure when an individual’s heart stops beating. Early CPR administration can double or triple the survival rates for victims of OHCA, which can improve the survival rates of these individuals (Rabanales-Soto, 2022). It is time-sensitive for an individual who is experiencing an OHCA to receive early defibrillation or chest compressions. Every minute that an individual with an OHCA does not receive defibrillation or chest compression reduces their chances of survival (Siddiq, 2013).
Common factors reported as to why bystanders do not administer CPR are a lack of understanding, fear of inflicting more damage, lack of confidence, and uncertainty about whether an individual needs CPR (Dobbie, 2018). Increasing the number of bystanders who are willing to perform CPR can lead to an increase in OHCA survival rates (Salvatierra, 2017). Providing bystanders with quality CPR training, such as traditional courses, online courses, AED instructions, and in-depth knowledge on how to administer CPR, can also increase OHCA survival rates (Chien, 2020). Lastly, AEDs must be placed in accessible locations for bystanders to use in emergencies to increase survival rates. It is also essential for bystanders to have access to and knowledge of how to administer these emergency services when these devices are available (Siddiq, 2013).
After the events of an OHCA, survivors’ lives may change through different deficits. These can include physical, cognitive, and emotional deficits impacting their occupations. The cognitive deficits commonly seen are trouble with memory, attention, and executive functioning (Partynski, 2023). Survivors’ quality of life can be impacted through their activities of daily living, social participation, returning to work, education, and many more occupations (Christensen, 2023). There is currently limited to no research on the connection between occupational therapy and CPR or CPR training for retail employees. However, implementing a program with the view of occupational therapy could prevent OHCA victims’ increased risk of deficits and increase bystanders’ response to emergency cardiac situations.
References:
Chien, C.-Y., Fang, S.-Y., Tsai, L.-H., Tsai, S.-L., Chen, C.-B., Seak, C.-J., Weng, Y.-M., Lin, C.-C., Chien, W.-C., Huang, C.-H., Lin, C.-Y., Chaou, C.-H., Liu, P.-H., Tseng, H.-J., Chen, J.-C., Peng, S.-Y., Cheng, T.-H., Hsu, K.-H., & Ng, C.-J. (2020). Traditional versus blended CPR training program: A randomized controlled non-inferiority study. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-67193-1
Christensen, J., Winkel, B., Eskildsen, S., Gottlieb, R., Hassager, C., & Wagner, M. (2023). Return-to-work and rehabilitation needs in cardiac arrest survivors: An exploratory cross-sectional study. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 22(3), 328–331. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjcn/zvac039
Dobbie, F., MacKintosh, A., Clegg, G., Stirzaker, R., & Bauld, L. (2018). Attitudes towards bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation: Results from a cross-sectional general population survey. PLOS ONE, 13(3), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0193391
Partyński, B., Tokarek, T., Dziewierz, A., Dykla, D., Januszek, R., & Dudek, D. (2023). Impact of basic life support training on knowledge of cardiac patients about first aid for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Journal of Public Health, 31(1), 21–26. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-020-01442-5
Rabanales-Sotos, J., Guisado-Requena, I., Leiton-Espinoza, Z., Guerrero-Agenjo, C., López-Torres-Hidalgo, J., Martín-Conty, J., Martín-Rodriguez, F., López-Tendero, J., & López-González, A. (2022). Development and validation of a novel ultra-compact and cost-effective device for basic hands-on CPR training: A randomized, sham-controlled, blinded trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(22). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192215228
Salvatierra, G., Palazzo, S., & Emery, A. (2017). High school CPR/AED training in Washington state. Public Health Nursing, 34(3), 238–244. https://doi.org/10.1111/phn.12293
Siddiq, A., Brooks, S., & Chan, T. (2013). Modeling the impact of public access defibrillator range on public location cardiac arrest coverage. Resuscitation, 84(7), 904–909. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resuscitation.2012.11.019