Happy New Year! This is my first blog of 2015 and I thought it would be a good time to let you know about a few highlights that will happening this year. Importantly 2015 will see the publication of the new resuscitation guidelines and I know it feels like an annual event but it is actually only once every 5 years. Then a major event for me is that I will be presenting at the Dentistry Show in April. The Department of Health will also be offering more guidance on the recognition and management of Sepsis. You can read more about all these below.
New Resuscitation Guidelines
This year will see the publication of new resuscitation guidelines. They’ll be published in October 2015. There’s always debate and speculation from trainers on what may or may not be changed. I know when I’m training that my learners feel there’s always something different, when in fact the guidelines are reviewed every 5 years. It entertains me though to see who can remember the oldest!
One of the most common questions that I’m asked is ‘do we have to do the breaths?’ I always refer back to the current guidelines but as I teach predominantly health professionals generally the answer is yes. We were told at the Scientific Symposium in November 2014 that rescue breaths are being investigated but that the results may not be published in time to make the 2015 guidelines. If they are such that the guidelines require changing in light of this research then the Resuscitation Council will publish a statement.
I don’t think that the guidance on rescue breaths will change much for health professionals, I do wonder if in the event that no equipment is available the guidance will change for that situation. We shall see, the date for the new guidelines is October 15th 2015.
Further Guidance on the Management of Sepsis
The Department of Health issued a statement to say that there will be further guidance and assessment tools published on the recognition and management of sepsis both for hospitals and primary care. GPs will be provided with screening tools. I teach sepsis on every course I teach to raise awareness and I’ve written about it before in my blog, you can read more here. 31,000 people a year die from sepsis in the UK, we need to work on raising awareness amongst professionals, our family and friends and our patients.
The Dentistry Show 2015
I’ve been invited by BOC as their guest speaker to present CPD sessions at the Dentistry Show 2015. I’ll be presenting sessions on the management of medical emergencies in the dental practice. I’m really looking forward to this, I’m hoping for a great event.
First Aid courses
I provide Emergency First Aid at Work courses in partnership with a therapy centre in Prestwich, Manchester which are available for individuals to book. What better way to learn first aid than with those you work with though, so if you have an organised group and would like first aid training please get in touch.
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