Heart disease and stroke : a journal for primary care physicians
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The AHA Committee on Emergency Cardiac Care recommends that all communities strengthen the four links in the chain of survival: Early Access: Install an enhanced 911 emergency dispatch system. Provide certification training to all emergency medical dispatchers. Develop community-wide education and publicity programs that focus on cardiac emergencies and a proper response by citizens. ⋯ Implement more widespread use of automated external defibrillators by community responders and allied health responders. Early Advanced Life Support: Coordinate advanced life support units with first-response units that provide early defibrillation. Develop procedures that combine rapid defibrillation by first-response units with rapid intubation and intravenous medications by the advanced life support units.