Open AccessCardiovascular Emergency Preparedness in Recreation Facilities at Major US Universities: College Fitness Center Emergency Readiness
Author(s) -
Herbert William G.,
Herbert David L.,
McInnis Kyle J.,
Ribisl Paul M.,
Franklin Barry A.,
Callahan Mandy,
Hood Aaron W.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
preventive cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1751-7141
pISSN - 1520-037X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1520-037x.2007.05708.x
Subject(s) - medicine , preparedness , medical emergency , automated external defibrillator , recreation , sports medicine , sudden cardiac arrest , emergency medical services , first responder , emergency medicine , cardiopulmonary resuscitation , physical therapy , resuscitation , cardiology , political science , law
Recent American Heart Association/American College of Sports Medicine (AHA/ACSM) guidelines advocate preparticipation screening, planning, and rehearsal for emergencies and automated external defibrillators in all health/fitness facilities. The authors evaluated adherence to these recommendations at 158 recreational service departments in major US universities (51% response rate for 313 institutions queried). Many made their facilities available to unaffiliated residents, with 39% offering programs for those with special medical conditions. Only 18% performed universal preparticipation screening. Twenty‐seven percent reported having 1 or more exercise‐related instances of cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death within the past 5 years. Seventy‐three percent had an automated external defibrillator, but only 6% reported using it in an emergency. Almost all had written emergency plans, but only 50% posted their plans, and only 27% performed the recommended quarterly emergency drills. The authors' findings suggest low awareness of and adherence to the AHA/ACSM recommendations for identifying individuals at risk for exercise‐related cardiovascular complications and for handling such emergencies in university‐based fitness facilities.