Parents look to the medical community for guidance and support in preparing for and responding to medical emergencies. For years the message parents have received is, take a CPR course and call 911 during an emergency. While we agree these are crucial steps in emergency response we also know these steps alone are not enough. Childhood medical emergencies are stressful, unplanned, rare events that can happen anywhere. Statistics tell us that most parents will not remember what to do, so why do we as medical professionals keep expecting them to?

 

MEDBASICS is redefining what it means to guide and support parents during real life medical emergencies. Using MEDBASICS’ simple emergency action steps, parents and caregivers can immediately initiate the critical life-saving care while waiting for the ambulance to arrive. Parents are empowered to proceed confidently as their child’s first responder whenever, wherever and if ever the need arises.

Parents forget, we help them remember

      • More than 80 percent of people who learn CPR will not remember how to give CPR when tested six months later
      • Less than 7 percent of sudden cardiac arrest victims survive because the vast majority of those witnessing the arrest are people who do not know how or could not remember how to perform CPR
      • Patients will not remember 60% of what their doctor says
      • Parents no longer are expected to remember all the details, now they only have to remember their MEDBASICS book

Parents travel, we go with them

      • We live in a global community
      • Emergencies can happen anywhere- on an airplane, train, car, other countries
      • Goes everywhere the child goes, the MEDBASICS book or App fits easily in a diaper bag, purse, carry on luggage or stroller

Parents are often the first responders, we help them respond immediately, respond reliably

      • The average ambulance response time in the US is 8 minutes, brain damage from lack of oxygen begins in 4 minutes and death shortly thereafter
      • Cell phone batteries die, situations occur where calling 911 is not an option and even when available, action can not stop with a phone call
      • Reliable response can be initiated immediately at the onset of an emergency

Parents panic, we calm them down

      • Fear of failure is the most commonly cited concern
      • Simple presentation with easy to follow instruction and illustration
      • Peace of mind during emergency and non-emergent times

Statistics tell us parents don’t remember, so why are the expectations for emergency response built around the concept that they will?