Dame Helen Mirren Supports Defibrillator In Schools Campaign To Save Lives In Schools
Dame Helen Mirren has put her name to the SADS UK Big Shock campaign to make defibrillators mandatory in schools.
She said: ‘I support the SADS UK Big Shock Campaign to make defibrillators mandatory in schools. It is particularly tragic to hear of young people dying of cardiac arrest. I understand how important it is to defibrillate a person in cardiac arrest as quickly as possible to give them the best chance of survival. It makes sense that all schools should have this lifesaving equipment in place.’
I am bringing up this subject in my blog on International Women’s Day not just because it is an extremely important health message, but, because I want to pay tribute to the remarkable lady who created the SADS UK campaign following the sudden and unexplained death of her teenage son, Ashley.
Her name is Anne Jolly and I first met her at a…
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Heartstart Reading – Home
Resuscitation training is essential for all. Please click on the link below to access free training. I am the Scheme Director of Heart Start in Reading and fully support their efforts.
Paediatric First Aid Training
Paediatric First Aid / Early Years First Aid Training, OFSTED Recognised & EYFS Compliant
Paediatric First Aid (12hr) PFAA Approved, EYFS Compliant & OFSTED Recognised.
“ABC Medical Services understand your childcare first aid training needs,this course will meet those needs and is ideal for you”
Our 12hr Paediatric First Aid course is our most popular course. From the start of our company we have always specialised in this training, we are passionate about our courses and understand the needs of early years practitioners, we have designed this course to meet those needs. The course will provide all practitioners with the confidence to deal with emergencies involving the children in their care. The course is very informal and relaxed and has been enjoyed by thousands of people over the years. Our tutors are all experienced in Pre Hospital Care and will impart hands on practical skills throughout your course. Our guarantee to you is…
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Emma Sloan dies in Dublin after allergic reaction to peanuts, pharmacy refused EpiPen | Mail Online
A very sad story, certainly proves there is a case for public Anaphylaxis kits.
JEXT Pen RECALL
ALK-Abelló recalls some batches of Jext® adrenaline auto-injectors in the United Kingdom
ALK-Abelló is recalling certain batches of Jext®adrenaline auto-injector, 150 microgram and 300 microgram, at patient level in the UK. The class 2 recall affects 66,813 Jext® produced from March 2013 to October 2013. Please see the list of affected batches below.
Downloadable information for Doctors, Pharmacists and Patients
DoctorsJext® is a single-use adrenaline auto-injector intended for the emergency treatment of severe acute allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) to insect stings or bites, foods, drugs and other allergens as well as idiopathic or exercise induced anaphylaxis.
A routine testing conducted by ALK-Abelló has revealed that during the production process of these batches the needle may have become bent, causing the needle to curl up inside the injector housing upon activation and consequently causing the pen not to deliver the required adrenaline dose. The malfunction only affects a small percentage (0.04%) of the pens in these batches. Immediate action has been taken to eliminate similar production issues in the future.
Batch number and expiry date of the Jext® batches recalled in the United Kingdom:
| Batch Number | Description | Expiry date |
| 0000907947 | Jext 150 µg | 30-04-2015 |
| 0000884202 | Jext 150 µg | 31-03-2015 |
| 0000862719 | Jext 150 µg | 28-02-2015 |
| 0000853456 | Jext 150 µg | 28-02-2015 |
| 0000890991 | Jext 150 µg | 28-02-2015 |
| 0000804924 | Jext 150 µg | 31-01-2015 |
| 0000785381 | Jext 150 µg | 31-01-2015 |
| 0000748008 | Jext 150 µg | 31-12-2014 |
| 0000900033 | Jext 300 µg | 30-04-2015 |
| 0000874587 | Jext 300 µg | 28-02-2015 |
| 0000858432 | Jext 300 µg | 28-02-2015 |
| 0000860701 | Jext 300 µg | 28-02-2015 |
| 0000837516 | Jext 300 µg | 28-02-2015 |
| 0000874585 | Jext 300 µg | 28-02-2015 |
| 0000829690 | Jext 300 µg | 31-01-2015 |
| 0000810356 | Jext 300 µg | 31-01-2015 |
| 0000800083 | Jext 300 µg | 31-01-2015 |
| 0000774775 | Jext 300 µg | 31-01-2015 |
| 0000780782 | Jext 300 µg | 31-01-2015 |
| 0000750808 | Jext 300 µg | 31-12-2014 |
| 0000733979 | Jext 300 µg | 31-12-2014 |
Patients are advised to check the batch number printed on the pen and the cardboard box to find out if their Jext® pen is affected by the recall:
Patients carrying a Jext® with a batch number not mentioned above can continue to carry their Jext® for emergency treatment of severe acute allergic reactions (anaphylaxis).
Advice to patients carrying a Jext® pen with one of the above-mentioned batch numbers
Patient carrying a Jext® with one of the above-mentioned batch numbers are advised to obtain a replacement adrenaline auto-injector from their doctor as soon as this is practically possible. Patients are advised to continue to carry and use their Jext® as normal until they are able to obtain a replacement adrenaline auto-injector. Patients should ensure they understand how to use the replacement auto-injector correctly as it may be different from Jext®.
If a patient suffers anaphylaxis before they have obtained a replacement adrenaline auto-injector from their health care professional, they are advised to use their Jext® as instructed by the prescribing doctor.
The safety of patients is our priority concern at ALK-Abelló and we are committed to delivering only high-quality products. ALK-Abelló takes the potential malfunction of some our adrenalin pens very seriously and has therefore immediately initiated a dialogue with the authorities regarding a recall. ALK-Abelló has also taken immediate action to eliminate similar production issues in the future.
ALK-Abelló is working with the Department of Health to minimise the financial consequences of this recall.
About Jext®
Jext® is a single-use adrenaline auto-injector and is indicated in the emergency treatment of severe acute allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) to insect stings or bites, foods, drugs and other allergens as well as idiopathic or exercise induced anaphylaxis. Jext® was developed by ALK-Abelló and approved in the United Kingdom in 2010. The product has been marketed since 2011. Jext® is produced in Europe by ALK-Abelló and subcontractors.
Further information
ALK-Abelló Ltd
1 Manor Park
Manor Farm Road
Berkshire
RG2 0NA
T: 0800 028 3144
e-mail: info@uk.alk-abello.com
BBC News – Boots recalls cough and cold medicines
Please click on the link to read the full story. http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/health-25107757
Professional Driver Emergency Care Course (JAUPT & CPC Approved)
All professional Lorry, Bus and Coach drivers are required to complete 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years. Corporate Health are an approved driver CPC training centre. Our Professional Driver Emergency Care Course is approved by The Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training. This course awards 7 hours of training and a nationally recognised qualification. Skills learnt on this course are also essential for personal and family life.
Topics covered include:
- Incident Management & making an Effective 999 Call
- Assessment of an Unresponsive Casualty
- Management of an unconscious Casualty & The Recovery Position
- Spinal Injuries
- Basic Life Support, Adult and Child Resuscitation
- Bleeding
- Head Injuries
- Seizures
- Heart Attack and Angina
- Burns
- Question and Answer Session
These courses are run regularly at our training centres in Slough and Reading, they can also be run at your location for group bookings. For more information Email: mark.davis@corporatehealth.co.uk or visit: www.corporatehealthtraining.co.uk
Febrile Convulsions
A new parent attending one of my courses requested further information on Febrile convulsions. The following information is from http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/febrileconvulsion.htm
What is a febrile convulsion?
| Rapid temperature increases can cause febrile convulsions. |
Febrile convulsions occur in young children when there is a rapid increase in their body temperature. It affects up to 1 in 20 children between the ages of one and four but can affect children between six months and about five years old.
Children who are at risk may naturally have a lower resistance to febrile convulsion than others.
What is the risk of suffering a febrile convulsion?
Children may inherit the tendency to suffer febrile convulsion from their parents.
- If either parent suffered a febrile convulsion as a child, the risk of the child getting it rises 10 to 20 per cent.
- If both parents and their child have at some point suffered a febrile convulsion, the risk of another child getting it rises 20 to 30 per cent.
Nevertheless, the child’s susceptibility also depends on whether the child frequently gets infections. About 4 out of 10 children who have had febrile convulsions will get them again at some stage, although the risk differs greatly from child to child. The child’s risk of febrile convulsion rises if:
- they are genetically predisposed to it
- they suffer frequent illnesses, which include high temperatures
- the first attack of febrile convulsion was accompanied by a relatively low body temperature – below 39ºC.
One in a thousand children may suffer a febrile convulsion after receiving the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine. In these cases it occurs 8 to 10 days after the vaccination and is caused by the the measles component of the vaccine. However, this causes only about one tenth of cases of febrile convulsion compared with measles itself.
Children who are prone to febrile convulsions should follow the same programme of vaccination as all other children.
What are the symptoms?
- The attack often begins with the child losing consciousness, and shortly afterwards the body, legs and arms go stiff.
- The head is thrown backwards and the legs and arms begins to jerk.
- The skin goes pale and may even turn blue briefly.
- The attack ends after a few minutes and the shaking stops. The child goes limp, and then normal colour and consciousness slowly return.
- Some children regain consciousness faster than others.
What to do if your child suffers an attack of febrile convulsion
Do not intervene while the attack is taking place except in the circumstance outlined below.
Carefully turn the child’s head to one side to prevent choking. In the past, it was common to place a stick in the child’s mouth to prevent bites to the tongue or lips. This should never be attempted, as it may result in lasting damage to the teeth.
When the fit subsides, keep the child in the recovery position, ie lying on its side. If fits are prolonged or follow each other rapidly, call an ambulance.
The first time a child suffers febrile convulsions they should be admitted to hospital. If the child has suffered attacks on earlier occasions, hospitalisation is not always necessary. However, it is always important, for example, to determine whether the convulsions are only due to a harmless viral infection. For this reason, a doctor should always be consulted following an attack.
Has the child previously suffered febrile convulsions?
- If the child has a history of febrile convulsions, parents are sometimes advised to have the medicine diazepam ready in case an attack takes place. It can be given into the rectum from a specific rectal tube and takes effect in a few minutes.
- If the attack goes on for more than five minutes treatment can be repeated, but medical advice should always be sought in any prolonged fit. Dosage instructions must be carefully adhered to.
Does the child have a temperature?
- Make sure the child is not too hot by removing extra clothing or bedclothes. If the room temperature seems high, open a window, but bear in mind that the child should not get too cold either. Give the child plenty of cold drinks.
- Some doctors advise parents to give the child mild painkillers such as paracetamol (eg Calpol) or ibuprofen (eg Nurofen for children). This lowers the temperature by between 1 and 1.5ºC. It is important to give the recommended dose only.
Although febrile convulsions look like epileptic fits, they rarely have anything in common with this illness. Ninety-nine per cent of children who have had a febrile convulsion have no more fits after they reach school age.
Future prospects
Although febrile convulsion often seems frightening, it rarely results in any permanent injuries. If, however, the convulsions last a long time or the child suffers several attacks in quick succession, slight disturbances in the brain function may occur.
- If your child has had a febrile convulsion, consult your GP on the best way to deal with them.
- Half of all sufferers will have another attack the next time they have a temperature. But the risk lessens with time and attacks should not occur after the age of about five.
Is it possible to prevent febrile convulsion?
Temperature-lowering medicines, such as paracetamol, can help lower body temperature but need to be repeated. If not, the temperature will rise rapidly again.
If your child has suffered febrile convulsion in the past, your doctor may advise you to have special enemas containing diazepam on standby
Read more: http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/febrileconvulsion.htm#ixzz2hnsGUYeu
Follow us: @NetDoctor on Twitter | NetDoctorUK on Facebook
Course Dates for 2014
Whatever your First Aid, Health and Safety or Medical training requirements are, we have a course suitable for you. Below we have listed the 2016 dates for our most popular courses. For more information visit www.abcmedicalservices.co.uk or Email: info@abcmedicalservices.co.uk
All of our courses can be run at your location for group bookings. we provide training 7 days a week, including evenings.
Paediatric First Aid 12hr – Reading
Weekends 9:30 – 4pm
January – 9th & 16th (Saturdays)
February – 7th & 14th (Sundays)
March – 5th & 12th (Saturdays)
April – 2nd & 9th (Saturdays)
May – 8th & 15th (Sundays)
June – 11th & 18th (Saturdays)
July – 9th & 16th (Saturdays)
August – 7th & 14th (Sundays)
September – 3rd & 10th (Saturdays)
October – 1st & 8th (Saturdays)
November – 6th & 13th (Sundays)
December – 3rd & 10th (Saturdays)
Evenings 7-10pm
January – 19th, 21st…
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Survival increased with bystander CPR in Denmark: study
http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUKBRE99019C20131001?irpc=932
By Andrew M. Seaman
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – More people survived cardiac arrests in Denmark after the country encouraged bystanders to step in and perform CPR, a new study shows.
Researchers found the proportion of cardiac arrest patients who got to the hospital alive and survived over the next year increased between 2001 and 2010 as the initiatives were introduced.
“The main message from this study is that national initiatives to improve cardiac arrest management seem to have an impact with an increase in bystander CPR rates and survival rates,” Dr. Mads Wissenberg, the study’s lead author from Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, told Reuters Health in an email.
Approximately 300,000 people in the U.S. go into cardiac arrest every year and about 90 percent of those die, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The American Heart Association says immediately starting CPR when a person goes into cardiac arrest – when the heart stops beating – can double or triple that person’s chances of survival.
CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, involves pushing down onto a person’s chest to keep oxygen-rich blood flowing to the body’s vital organs until medical help arrives. For cardiac arrest, that help typically involves using an automatic external defibrillator (AED) to shock the heart.
According to the researchers, who published their study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Denmark noticed about 10 years ago that few people stepped in to perform CPR and a minority of cardiac arrest victims survived more than 30 days.
The country took several steps to increase the number of people performing CPR. Those included introducing mandatory training for elementary school students and people getting driver’s licenses, distributing instructional training kits, offering telephone guidance to bystanders and placing AEDs in public places.
To see whether those and other initiatives were linked to improved outcomes, the researchers analyzed data from 19,468 people who went into cardiac arrest someplace other than a hospital between June 2001 and December 2010.
At the beginning of the study, Wissenberg and his colleagues found that only about 21 percent of patients had a bystander step in to perform CPR during their cardiac arrest. By the end of the study in 2010, that number had more than doubled to 45 percent.
There was only a small increase in the use of AEDs, but that was expected because most weren’t placed in public places until the end of the study.
Still, the researchers found the chance of people surviving cardiac arrest until they got to the hospital increased from about 8 percent to 22 percent. Their chance of survival after 30 days also increased from about 4 percent in 2001 to about 11 percent in 2010.
And the proportion of people who were still alive one year after cardiac arrest rose from about 3 percent in 2001 to about 10 percent in 2010.
But the credit for better outcomes doesn’t belong to CPR alone, according to Wissenberg. He said increases in survival are likely linked to many factors, including events that happen before and after a cardiac arrest patient gets to the hospital.
The researchers also can’t say the national initiatives directly caused the increase in participation or survival.
“Nevertheless, the results of this study indicate that the increased rate of bystander CPR was an important factor in improving survival,” Wissenberg wrote.
Dr. Graham Nichol, professor of medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle, said implementing a national program like Denmark’s is novel, compared with implementing smaller regional programs. He said it’s something needed in the U.S.
“It’s important that people know that this is an easy thing to do and everyone should learn it and learn how to respond to a medical emergency,” Nichol, who wasn’t involved in the new study, told Reuters Health.
“I’m optimistic that we can do that. It’s going to take an ongoing effort from a lot of people to achieve that,” he said.
SOURCE: http://bit.ly/JOTmp1 The Journal of the American Medical Association, online October 1, 2013.
Meningitis Link
This week one of the attendees asked for information on Meningitis. Here is a link to the Meningitis Trust, they have a wealth of information on their site. http://www.meningitis-trust.org
A quiet day
Today I’m spending the day providing Medical Cover for the University of Reading Open Day. The University puts a lot of effort in to organising this event. Its a ver popular day and well attended by visitors. So far it has been very quiet, the only request has been for a safety pin to repair a handbag.
Windsor Girls School Praise First Aid Training
As MD of Corporate Health I have a great sense of pride when one of our customers writes an article on what a great job our team have done. If you are thinking of booking a First Aid training course for your staff please read this reference, which is testament to the Training and support team.
Windsor girls school case study
“I don’t know how he did it, but that session was great fun and yet I have come away feeling so confident
about my first aid knowledge now. That was by far the best training in first aid I have ever had.”
“I have enjoyed working with Corporate Health and they have delivered exactly what I wanted and at an
affordable price. All the staff I have dealt with have been professional and a pleasure to work with. In May
2013 Windsor Girls’ School was inspected…
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