IN Millcreek Summer 2014 | Page 12

Coworkers’ Quick Actions Save Life The patient’s successful resuscitation was the result of quick action by his coworkers to initiate CPR prior to the ambulance arrival. illcreek Millcreek Paramedic Services T he theme of a recent Millcreek Paramedic Service membership campaign was “Expect the Unexpected” No one among us believes . sudden illness or injury will interfere in our daily routine or busy lives. This was the case on February 19, 2014 for a group of employees at Wolseley Industrial Group here in Millcreek Township. A 50 year old coworker was discovered unresponsive, experiencing cardiac arrest. The three Wolseley employees recognized the severity of their coworker’s medical condition and immediately began lifesaving CPR while awaiting the arrival of a nearby Millcreek Paramedic Service ambulance only minutes later. As arriving paramedics began advanced life support treatment, the patient’s cardiac rhythm was restored and stabilized during transportation to a nearby hospital. The patient’s cardiac diagnosis was treated by the medical facility and he was discharged home days later. It has been clearly documented in the medical community; the patient’s successful resuscitation was the result of quick action by his coworkers to initiate CPR prior to the ambulance arrival. According to Heart Disease Center, sudden cardiac death is the largest cause of natural death in the United States, and is responsible for half of all heart disease deaths. Common risk factors that increase the public’s risk of sudden cardiac death include family history of heart disease, smoking, hypertension, obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol. American Heart Association’s Chain of Survival is comprised of 5 l