Arizona Health Care Leaders Unite In Effort To Save Lives

The Glendale Fire Department, Midwestern University and Priority One Enterprises have teamed up to launch a community education program, training citizens on a new and easier way to do CPR, called Continuous Chest Compression (CCC-CPR) and the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). These two elements are vital to survival during adult Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), which is the number one cause of death in the United States.

“Calling 911 and starting immediate, rapid, forceful chest compressions dramatically improves survival,” said Dr. Ben Bobrow, Medical Director, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. “With CCC-CPR, there is also a greater chance of bystander participation.”

Continuous Chest Compression (CCC), the new CPR for adult Cardiac Arrests, was developed through extensive research at the University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center and has been championed locally by Dr. Bobrow, and nationally showcased on the NBC Today Show with Matt Lauer. CCC-CPR separates itself from traditional CPR by concentrating solely on chest compressions, not breathes, causing the continual circulation of blood through the victim’s brain and heart.

Glendale Fire Chief Mark Burdick, who worked for years as a fire paramedic said, “I am excited about the statistics which show improvements made in patient care outcomes due to the implementation of the continuous chest compressions program. Our paramedics now have an added advantage to saving lives in Glendale, with the ultimate goal to train as many citizens as possible in CCC-CPR.”

“A major part of our university mission is community service. Having our team of health care professionals work with the City and Priority One on this new life-saving technique really meets that mission,” says Ross Kosinski,Ph.D., Dean of Students and Director of Community outreach for Midwestern University.

In addition to the CCC-CPR training, this program is geared to take the “Fear” out of AEDs, as most people are uncomfortable utilizing these life saving devices when a situation arises. “We want to get the message out that they are easy to use, safe and should become the safety standard in businesses throughout Arizona,” said Mike Shabkie, Managing Partner, Priority One Enterprises.

Trained MWU faculty and students along with Glendale Fire Firefighters will teach classes to the community, free of charge at Midwestern University (19555 N 59th Ave) and The Glendale Regional Public Safety Training Center (11550 W Glendale Ave) on the third Thursday of every month at 7pm. For more information or a schedule of classes and locations, please log onto www.glendaleshare.org, www.midwestern.edu/events/cccschedule.asp or call Dr. Kosinski at 623-572-3329.