A population-based investigation of public access defibrillation: role of emergency medical services care.

Background: Although strategic use of public access defibrillation (PAD) can improve cardiac arrest survival, little is known about temporal trends in PAD deployment and use or how PAD affects the role of emergency medical services (EMS). We sought to determine the frequency, circumstances, and time trends of PAD AED and determine implications of PAD use for EMS providers.

Methods: The investigation was a population-based cohort study of treated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest from a heterogeneous metropolitan setting between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2006.

A process approach to memory book training for neurological patients.

This article describes a process approach to training memory book usage as a compensatory strategy for neurological patients. Clinicians who recommend memory books to patients need to consider the physical, cognitive, social and emotional strengths and weaknesses of the individual as they assist with the design and implementation of such books. Throughout the process, a major focus of this approach is on the need to raise awareness of memory deficits while minimizing patient resistance.