Nurses form nonprofit to prevent deaths from sudden cardiac arrest
By Johanna Crosby
STAFF WRITER
February 14, 2008 6:00 AM
As a registered nurse, Patricia Mathison of East Orleans has seen patients die from sudden cardiac arrest because a lifesaving device was not available.
Now Mathison, fellow nurse Judi Franklin of North Harwich and Annie Dugan, a retired nurse who lives in Marstons Mills, have formed Connecting Hearts to ensure that every victim of sudden cardiac arrest has an equal chance for survival.
The mission of the nonprofit organization is to raise money to expand the presence of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) throughout the Cape.
"If there are more AEDs available countless more lives will be saved," Mathison says.
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a leading cause of death in the U.S., striking more than 350,000 people annually, with a survival rate of only about 5 percent, according to the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association.
The death rate for SCA exceeds the combined death rates of breast cancer, lung cancer, stroke and HIV-AIDS.
SCA is triggered by an electrical problem with the heart that causes the heart to stop beating. It is often confused with a heart attack. Victims can be revived with CPR and quick access to defibrillation to shock the heart back into rhythm, but timing is critical.
The best chance of survival without any brain damage is resuscitation within three to five minutes, Mathison says. "Every minute that passes, the chance of survival drops 10 percent."
Connecting Hearts would like to have AEDs and people trained to use them available wherever people gather, including churches, schools, community centers and restaurants.
Connecting Hearts has raised money to donate four AEDs to local organizations, including a free clinic. The lifesaving device costs about $1,600. The organization also offers training programs to certify laypeople in the use of AEDs and effective CPR.
Connecting Hearts recently became an affiliate of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association based in Washington., D.C., whose mission is to form a national network of local organizations to promote its mission of preventing sudden cardiac arrest.
Connecting Hearts plans to increase awareness of cardiac arrest through educational programs and advocacy.
More information on Connecting Hearts may be obtained by calling 508-237-2001.