Defibrillators used in just 10% of cardiac arrest cases
LIFE-SAVING defibrillators are not being used in nine out of 10 cardiac arrests, despite many being located just a third of a mile away.
Analysis of data from the East of England revealed that in the six months to last September, there were 1,649 incidents where a patient’s heart suddenly stopped.
But despite public access defibrillators being located within 500 yards of some 1,302 cases, they were only used 132 times.
Experts said the findings were “concerning” and showed there was an urgent need to raise awareness of defibrillators in a bid to increase the chances of survival in an emergency.
Study author Dr Thomas Keeble, a consultant cardiologist and professor at Anglia Ruskin University, said use of the devices was “strikingly low”.
He added: “Much more needs to be done to promote awareness and education around CPR and defibrillation.”
The study also revealed that Luton – the most deprived area in the East of England – had the lowest rates of defibrillators in the region, with just 16 per 100,000 people, compared to a regional average of 72.
Dr Keeble said: “It is concerning to see far fewer defibrillators in the most deprived areas.
“Such a finding should prompt further discussion about more consistent and effective placement of defibrillators in communities.”
The study used data from the East of England Ambulance Service and The Circuit, the UK’s national defibrillator network.
The Daily Express Complete The Circuit crusade aims to raise awareness of the vital network, which is used to direct 999 callers to their nearest defibrillator.
There are more than 100,000 of the devices across the UK, but only 66,000 have so far been logged on The Circuit.
Our campaign has been backed by the British Heart Foundation and NHS England’s medical director, Prof Sir Stephen Powis.
Judy O’Sullivan, the BHF’s director of innovation in health programmes, said: “Prompt CPR and defibrillation from bystanders can be the difference between life and death, so it is concerning to see low rates of defib use.
“There are many known reasons for the low use of defibrillators, including not having enough bystanders available at the scene of an emergency, difficulty in accessing a defibrillator at the time when it is needed and fear of using it.
“We are calling upon everybody who owns or looks after a defib to register it on The Circuit today – this could help save someone’s life.”
The findings from the study will be presented at the British Cardiovascular Society Conference in Manchester today.