HELP! First aid for all
Every five years the Belgian Red Cross-Flanders publishes a revised version of the first aid manual ‘Help! First aid for all’. The manual familiarises the reader with the world of first aid and explains the right way to provide first aid for 151 different injuries. The book is written with great attention to quality: the first aid guidelines are fully evidence-based. For every subject covered, the Centre of Expertise sought scientific evidence, which the First Aid service staff translated into practical recommendations. These recommendations were then evaluated by experts and supplemented by the specialist knowledge of first aiders with years of experience.
AFAM
The ‘African First Aid Materials’ (AFAM) are a combination of guidelines and training materials for first aid courses in Africa. When compiling the AFAM, local customs were examined in detail: the Centre of Expertise sought out scientific literature of specific importance for providing first aid in sub-Saharan Africa. Moreover, the use of alternative materials or methods that are available and affordable were also an important factor. The final recommendations were formulated by a panel of experts, consisting of 11 African experts, led by Professor Jimmy Volmink, Director of the Cochrane Centre in South Africa. This resulted in an evidence-based first aid manual full of prevention tips and first aid guidelines tailored to the African population. The AFAM press launch took place on 1 July 2011, when the first print copy of the manual was presented to Flemish Minister President Kris Peeters.
Learn more about the AFAM via http://www.afam.redcross.be/.
EFAM
In 2011 the European First Aid Manual (EFAM) was updated to include the most recent first aid and resuscitation guidelines. The first aid techniques it contains are scientifically substantiated on the basis of the ‘International first aid and resuscitation guidelines 2011 (IFRC)’ and the ‘American Heart Association and American Red Cross guidelines for first aid 2010’. The Centre of Expertise offered advice to staff in the First Aid service on how to interpret the evidence-based guidelines.
Learn more about the EFAM via http://www.efam.redcross.be/.
Questions from the Blood Service
The Blood Service asked whether it was safe and effective for haemochromatosis patients to be blood donors. These patients have excess iron in their blood and have to give blood regularly to keep their iron levels under control. The Centre of Expertise carried out a literature search to find studies that have conducted research into the quality of this blood. The results are set out in a systematic review which will be published soon. In addition, further queries concerning the rhesus factor and the collection of blood platelets are being investigated.
Evidence-based practice workshop
The Centre of Expertise aims to immerse Red Cross staff in the evidence-based methodology that is applied within the organisation, in an interactive way. The ‘evidence-based practice’ workshop explains how the combination of the policy, the science and practical experience can lead to high-quality recommendations, strategies and programmes. Participants are also shown how information can be interpreted in a critical manner. In conjunction with the Education Unit, the Centre of Expertise designed a workshop. In 2011, three workshop sessions were organised for about 30 participants.
