Elderly Patient Saved In Dentist Chair
Dental staff at Belhaven Surgery save elderly patient with CPR, highlighting the need for AEDs and training in every workplace.
Dental Staff Save Life of Elderly Patient After Sudden Collapse
A visit to the dentist became a life threatening emergency when 77-year-old Jean Wright collapsed during a routine appointment at Belhaven Dental Surgery in Port Glasgow. Thanks to the swift response of trained dental staff, Jean was resuscitated on-site before paramedics arrived. The incident demonstrates the urgent need for CPR training and defibrillators in all public facing environments, including dental surgeries.
Immediate CPR Makes the Difference
According to the Greenock Telegraph, Jean lost consciousness in the dentist’s chair. Nurse Catherine Jones and her colleagues quickly assessed the situation and began administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) while waiting for emergency services. Their ability to respond calmly and correctly may have saved Jean’s life.
While the exact cause of Jean’s collapse has not been confirmed publicly, it is consistent with a medical emergency such as sudden cardiac arrest. Approximately, 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen every year in the UK. The survival rate remains below 10 percent unless CPR and defibrillation are delivered promptly.
Dental Clinics Must Be Prepared for Medical Emergencies
Dental practices often treat older adults or patients with complex medical histories, and while cardiac events during dental visits are uncommon, they are not impossible. A well-trained team and the right equipment can mean the difference between life and death.
Early use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), combined with CPR, dramatically increases survival chances. The Resuscitation Council UK states that defibrillation within three to five minutes of a collapse can result in survival rates as high as 70 percent.
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What Are the Expectations for Dental Surgeries?
Although it is not a legal requirement for dental surgeries in the UK to have a defibrillator, best practice guidance encourages it. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) expects dental providers to be able to respond to medical emergencies with suitable equipment and trained personnel. Many now choose to include an AED as part of their emergency medical kit.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advises that employers should consider the likelihood of cardiac arrest occurring in their workplace.
Protect Staff, Patients and Visitors
The actions of the Belhaven Dental Surgery team are a powerful reminder that sudden emergencies can happen in any setting. With training, planning and access to a defibrillator, your team could save a life too.
If your organisation does not yet have a defibrillator or has not reviewed its emergency procedures recently, now is the time to take action. Every minute without defibrillation reduces a person’s chance of survival. Be prepared. Be rescue ready. Become one of Our Heart Safe Locations Today!