Why Cardiac Emergency Preparedness in Schools is Critical for Student and Staff Safety
Findings from a Recent Study on Cardiac Emergency Preparedness in Illinois Schools
1. Training Gaps and Inequities
While 59.4% of school employees reported that CPR/AED training was offered at their schools, significant inequities in access to training were found. Employees at larger schools were more likely to be offered training than those at smaller schools, and employees at high schools were more likely to have participated in training compared to their peers in elementary and middle schools. Additionally, employees working in urban schools or schools serving low-income students were less likely to receive CPR/AED training.
2. Preparedness and Confidence
Despite a majority of employees reporting that they had received CPR/AED training, only 39.5% felt prepared to respond to a cardiac emergency, and even fewer (26.5%) felt that their school provided enough training for them to handle such an emergency. Those who had participated in CPR/AED training were significantly more likely to report feeling prepared and confident in their ability to respond to a cardiac emergency. However, many trained individuals still lacked fundamental knowledge about CPR/AED techniques, suggesting that more training and practice are needed to reinforce skills.
3. Willingness to Act
Interestingly, while many employees expressed confidence in their ability to perform CPR and use an AED, there were disparities in willingness to act based on factors such as school type and socioeconomic status. Overall, a majority (83.6%) of school employees indicated that they were willing to perform hands-only CPR on a victim of SCA, and 74.5% said they were willing to use an AED. However, those working in schools with lower socioeconomic status (SES) were less confident in their ability to perform these life-saving techniques, highlighting the need for equitable access to training across all schools.
4. Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs)
The study also found that a significant number of schools lacked formal cardiac emergency response plans or had staff who were unaware of the steps in their school’s plan. While 97.2% of respondents believed that their school should have a CERP, 74.6% had never participated in a cardiac emergency drill. Without such plans and drills in place, school employees may not be fully prepared to respond in a high-pressure emergency situation.
5. Willingness to Be Trained and Implement CERPs
Although the majority of participants indicated that they were not prepared to respond to SCA, school employees were largely in support of measures to increase cardiac emergency preparedness. In this study, 97.4% of school employees indicated that they wanted their school to offer CPR/AED training and retraining, 98.7% believed that some or all school employees should be CPR/AED trained, and 84.7% believed that state law should mandate some or all school employees to learn CPR/AED at once in their career. The majority believed their school should require training for some or all employees through local policy (91.4%). Most school employees (97.2%) believed that their school should have a CERP, and 84.1% believed that their school should complete a cardiac emergency response drill. Over half (66.9%) of employees reported wanting more training on how to recognize and respond to a SCA at school, and 95.7% indicated they would attend a free CPR/AED class if offered by the school.
Implications for Schools and Policymakers
The findings of this study underscore the importance of ensuring that all school staff are adequately trained to respond to a cardiac emergency. While most school employees expressed a desire for more training and supported efforts to increase preparedness, gaps in training, inequities across school populations, and lack of formal response plans remain significant challenges. Here are several key recommendations for schools and policymakers:
- Increase CPR/AED Training for All Staff. CPR and AED training should not be limited to a few individuals but should be provided regularly to all school employees. This includes teachers, administrators, coaches, custodians, and nurses. Offering training on-site, during school hours, can help overcome barriers related to time and cost.
- Develop and Implement Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs). Every school should have a CERP in place, which includes clear protocols for managing a cardiac emergency. School leaders should ensure that all staff are familiar with the plan and that regular drills are conducted to practice the procedures.
- Address Disparities in Training Access. Policymakers must ensure that all schools, especially those serving disadvantaged communities, have access to the resources needed for CPR/AED training. Efforts should be made to ensure equitable distribution of training opportunities across all schools, regardless of their size, location, or socioeconomic status.
- Mandate Cardiac Emergency Drills. Just as fire drills are a common practice in schools, cardiac emergency response drills should also be required. These drills will help staff become familiar with emergency procedures and build the confidence needed to act quickly and effectively in a real emergency.
- Legislative Support. Policymakers should consider legislation to require CPR/AED training for all school employees and mandate the creation of CERPs and regular emergency drills. This could significantly improve the chances of survival for students and staff who experience sudden cardiac arrest.