You might be familiar with the concept of “six degrees of separation” – the idea that everyone is connected by no more than six people. Although this concept is usually applied to social connections, it also captures Heart & Stroke’s life-saving work in resuscitation science with the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR). Our collective work may seem abstract but its impact is very real, cascading into tangible actions in emergency care that one day could affect you or someone you know or love experiencing a cardiac arrest.
1. Collaborating in rigorous research on the world stage
Resuscitation science begins with collaboration. ILCOR brings together researchers, scientists and clinicians from around the world to conduct a rigorous literature review in CPR, emergency cardiovascular care (ECC) and first aid, ensuring that treatment recommendations are grounded in the latest science.
2. Developing global treatment recommendations
Every five years, ILCOR officially publishes updated treatment recommendations based on these findings. As new science emerges, the guidelines continue to evolve to align resuscitation care with new advancements.
3. Shaping resuscitation guidelines for North America
Once ILCOR releases its recommendations, Heart & Stroke works closely with the American Heart Association (AHA) to translate them into guidelines suitable for North America.
4. Tailoring these guidelines for all of Canada
Heart & Stroke then works closely with leading Canadian resuscitation experts to tailor these guidelines to reflect Canada’s unique clinical practice, systems of care and pharmacology.
5. Updating resuscitation programs and empowering instructors
These guidelines form the basis of every CPR and first aid course delivered in Canada – whether developed by Heart & Stroke or other training organizations. Heart & Stroke’s network of 9,000 strong instructors (and all other instructors) embrace and implement these updated programs, passing on the latest knowledge and skills on to their students – healthcare providers, first responders and the public.
6. Emergency care in action in Canada
This new knowledge and skills save lives. Whether it’s a paramedic responding to a cardiovascular emergency, a doctor leading a resuscitation team, a colleague using an AED or a bystander performing CPR on a stranger, their actions are shaped by the guidelines Heart & Stroke created that started with reviews at ILCOR.
