Plain-English explanations of the technical terms and legislation used in this document.
- Adrenaline (epinephrine)
- An emergency medicine given during cardiac arrest and severe allergic reactions to support the heart and circulation.
- Automated external defibrillator (AED)
- A portable device that checks the heart rhythm and, if needed, delivers a controlled electric shock to try to restart a normal heartbeat.
- Bag-valve-mask (BVM)
- A hand-squeezed device with a mask used to push air or oxygen into the lungs of a patient who is not breathing properly.
- British Compressed Gases Association
- The trade body that publishes safety guidance and codes of practice for storing and handling compressed gases such as medical oxygen.
- Cardiac arrest
- A life-threatening emergency in which the heart suddenly stops pumping blood around the body.
- Care Quality Commission (CQC)
- The independent regulator of health and social care services in England.
- Consumables
- Single-use items such as gloves, aprons and dressings that are used up and must be replaced.
- Grab bag
- A portable bag holding emergency equipment, used in place of a wheeled trolley where a trolley would be impractical.
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
- The main law requiring employers to keep staff and others safe at work, including the safe handling of substances such as medical oxygen.
- Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014
- The regulations setting out the fundamental standards of safety and quality that registered care providers must meet.
- Medical oxygen
- Oxygen supplied in cylinders for treating patients, which must be stored and handled safely because it strongly supports burning.
- Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
- The United Kingdom regulator responsible for the safety of medicines and medical devices, including defibrillators.
- Near miss
- An event that could have caused harm but did not, by chance or because it was caught in time.
- Non-rebreathe mask
- An oxygen mask with a reservoir bag that delivers a high concentration of oxygen to a seriously ill patient.
- Oropharyngeal (Guedel) airway
- A curved plastic tube placed in the mouth to help keep an unconscious patient's airway open.
- Paediatric
- Relating to the care and treatment of children.
- Registered Manager
- The person registered with the regulator as responsible for the day-to-day running of a service.
- Regulated activity
- A type of care or treatment the law requires a provider to register with the regulator to deliver.
- Regulation 12 (Safe care and treatment)
- The rule requiring care to be provided safely, including having reliable equipment ready for emergencies.
- Regulation 15 (Premises and equipment)
- The rule requiring premises and equipment to be clean, suitable, properly maintained and fit for use.
- Regulator
- The official body that oversees a service and checks it meets the required standards; in this document, the Care Quality Commission.
- Resuscitation
- Emergency treatment, such as chest compressions and rescue breaths, used to try to save a person whose heart or breathing has stopped.
- Resuscitation Council UK
- The professional body that sets the recognised standards, treatment steps and recommended emergency equipment and drug lists for resuscitation in the United Kingdom.
- Resuscitation trolley
- A wheeled trolley holding the equipment, drugs and documents needed to respond to a medical emergency or cardiac arrest.
- Sharps bin
- A puncture-proof container for the safe disposal of needles, blades and other items that can cut or puncture the skin.
- Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
- A written, step-by-step instruction setting out exactly how a particular task should be carried out consistently and safely.
- Suction unit
- A device that removes fluid, vomit or secretions from a patient's mouth or airway to keep it clear.
- Tamper-evidence seal
- A uniquely numbered, single-use plastic seal fitted to a trolley or bag so that any opening since the last check is immediately obvious.