Basic cardiopulmonary life support (BCLS) for cardiopulmonary resuscitation by trained paramedics and medics outside the hospital

Abstract

The cardiopulmonary resuscitation guideline of Basic Cardiopulmonary Life Support (BCLS) for management of adult victims with cardiopulmonary arrest outside the hospital provides an algorithmic stepwise approach for optimal outcome of the victims by trained medics and paramedics. This guideline has been developed considering the need to have a universally acceptable practice guideline for India and keeping in mind the infrastructural limitations of some areas of the country. This guideline is based on evidence elicited in the international and national literature. In the absence of data from Indian population, the excerpts have been taken from international data, discussed with Indian experts and thereafter modified to make them practically applicable across India. The optimal outcome for a victim with cardiopulmonary arrest would depend on core links of early recognition and activation; early high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation, early defibrillation and early transfer to medical facility. These links are elaborated in a stepwise manner in the BCLS algorithm. The BCLS also emphasise on quality check for various steps of resuscitation.

Study of the impact of training of registered nurses in cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a tertiary care centre on patient mortality

“…[ 13 ] In an effort to improve cardiac arrest outcomes, recent investigations have focused on the timing and quality of CPR. [ 14 ] Several guidelines on performing CPR have been published,[ 15 ] and certified training courses based on these guidelines have become a standard in medical professionals' training in many parts of the world. The aim of these courses is to provide information and hands-on practice in the management of peri-arrest situations in accordance with the latest guidelines.…”

Critical care in obstetrics

“…In the event of cardiac arrest, published guidelines should be followed. [ 34 35 36 37 ] Common causes of cardiac arrest in pregnancy can be remembered by the acronym – ABCDE UPS. A – Anaphylaxis, Anaesthetic; B – Bleeding, Bleeds in Brain, Bleeds in Liver; C – Cardiac; D – Drugs (Magnesium toxicity), E – Eclampsia, Embolism (Amniotic, Air and Thrombo-embolism); U – Uterine (Abruptio, Rupture, couvelaire, Inversion); P (Pulmonary – ARDS, Pulmonary oedema, Placental – Adherent placenta, Retained placenta), and S – Sepsis.…”

Implementation of Indian Society of Anesthesiologists' cardiopulmonary resuscitation guidelines: A bumpy road ahead?

“…The Indian Society of Anesthesiologists (ISA) published its guidelines on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) customized for Indian adult patients. [ 1 ],[ 2 ],[ 3 ] The need for this India-specific guidelines has long been felt. To address this concern the ISA recently constituted a “ Resuscitation Council ” for framing and implementing these guidelines.…”

“…The resuscitation council of ISA, for better implementation, simplicity, and greater efficacy has formulated three basic guidelines: One for layperson (compression only life support—COLS), another one for doctors and paramedics to resuscitate cardiac arrest victims outside hospital (basic cardiopulmonary life support—BCLS), and third one for in-hospital cardiac arrest victims by doctors and paramedics (comprehensive cardiopulmonary life support—CCLS). [ 1 ],[ 2 ],[ 3 ]…”