Building a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan in a Large School District
Guide for Providers, Administrators, and Policymakers
Bibliographic Data
BACKGROUND: Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in young athletes and a rare but devastating event in youth, often caused by undiagnosed structural cardiac anomalies, cardiomyopathies, or heritable channelopathies. Early detection, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are critical for improving survival and neurological outcomes. CONTRIBUTIONS TO PRACTICE: Grassroots organizations like Project ADAM, founded in 1999 at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, have been instrumental in raising awareness and guiding schools and communities in developing cardiac emergency response plans (CERPs) over the past two decades. Project ADAM was successfully implemented within Miami-Dade County Public Schools. In under 2 years, 100% of schools in the district achieved Heart Safe School recognition, with eight cardiac arrest incidents reported on Project ADAM-affiliated campuses. Seven victims survived without neurological impairment due to the prompt activation of Cardiac Emergency Response Teams (CERT). IMPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOL HEALTH POLICY, PRACTICE, AND EQUITY: Annual implementation of CERPs, including hands-on, in-person drills supported by school administrators, can significantly improve survival rates during cardiac emergencies. CONCLUSIONS: The successful implementation of Project ADAM within Miami-Dade County Public Schools highlights the importance of collaboration among stakeholders, strategic planning, and ongoing education to overcome challenges and ensure long-term program sustainability.
Emergency management · Emergency plan · Emergency response · Plan (archaeology) · Program evaluation · Public health · Strategic planning · Cardiac Arrest and Resuscitation · Disaster Response and Management · School Health and Nursing Education
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