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COVID-19: cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the dental practice

5 mins read Medical emergencies Patient education
Phil Jevon and Puja Jalota offer an overview to the current guidelines relating to the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of a patient with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection

Although cardiac arrests in dental practices are rare, it is important to be able to respond effectively and safely, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Resuscitation Council (UK) considers chest compressions and ventilations to be aerosol generating procedures (AGPs), so it is important to ensure infection control and protective personal equipment (PPE) guidelines are followed and staff safety is maintained.1


Background

NHS England & NHS Improvement2 have advised that dental staff need to be prepared for the possibility of having to respond to a medical emergency e.g. cardiac arrest, in a COVID-19 patient. This preparation should include2:

GDC and medical emergencies

Dental nurses are reminded by GDC Standard 6.2.6:

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