App Empowers CPR-Certified Bystanders with the Chance to Save Lives
In 2009, Gary Buscombe was saved by CPR—but not in the ambulance or at the hospital—he was resuscitated in the very spot where he experienced sudden cardiac arrest. Buscombe was saved because someone close by stepped in, and he knows how fortunate he was.
Not everyone is so lucky. Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. In fact, SCA is responsible for more than 300,000 deaths annually—and Buscombe wasn’t saved by chance, he was saved by a willing individual who knew how to initiate CPR.
So, what if there was a tool that could take out the luck, and replace it with technology and preparation? There is. And it’s called PulsePoint Respond.
“PulsePoint is a new, powerful tool to raise awareness of SCA and improve survival rates in our community,” said Dr. Kevin L. Lewis, Regional President of SSM Health Medical Group.
“SCA occurs when the heart malfunctions and suddenly stops beating. Current national survival rates for SCA are less than 8%,” said Dr. Lewis. “The PulsePoint Respond app empowers CPR-trained bystanders to assist, and the American Heart Association estimates that this immediate effort can double or triple a patient’s chance of survival.”
In a press conference on May 16, 2019, leaders from SSM Health St. Anthony and EMSA announced the release of the app and their partnership to improve survival rates for local victims of SCA. “A collaboration of this nature is important, as an individual organization cannot do it alone,” stated Joe Hodges, Regional President of SSM Health Oklahoma. “Together, we are able to bring this valuable resource to our community.”
PulsePoint requires a connection to a local public safety communications center to function, so it is only available when employed by a local fire or EMS agency. Through EMSA’s implementation, the app is now fully functioning in both Oklahoma City and Tulsa, ready for download and use.
Today, Buscombe is happy and healthy, and he’s using his experience to alert others to the importance of CPR. “The lesson is that everybody—everybody—needs to know CPR,” said Buscombe. And for those that do, please download PulsePoint today.
Learn more about PulsePoint: https://www.pulsepoint.org/
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