Cardiac technicians

November 1996 A NREMT/Health Technician at TOCDF has alleged to have been harassed by plant supervisors for suggesting suspected organophosphate poisoning of TOCDF workers based on the technician having observed increased numbers of bradycardias (slow heart rates) and atrioventricular blocks (delays or block in cardiac electrical conduction) amongst these TOCDF workers. 

Snrgical nnrse or technician Circnlating nnrse or technician Perfusionist Radiology technician Mannfactnrer s representative Cardiac snrgeon... 

Cardiovascular technician Cardiac catheterization nurse Anesthesiologist Radiology technician Heart team Cardiac surgeon... 

Cardiovascular technicians Radiology technicians Catheterization laboratory nurse Heart team/perfiisionist Cardiac surgeon Anesthesiologist Extraction coordinator ... 

Ironically, the treatment for cardiac arrest induced by an electric shock is a massive countershock, which causes the entire heart muscle to contract. The random and uncoordinated ventricular fibrillation contractions (if present) are thus stilled. Under ideal conditions, normal heart rhythm is restored once the shock current ceases. The countershock is generated by a cardiac defibrillator, various portable models of which are available for use by emergency medical technicians and other trained personnel. Although portable defibrillators may be available at industrial sites where there is a high risk of electrical shock to plant personnel, they should be used only by trained personnel. AppHcation of a defibrillator to an unconscious subject whose heart is beating can induce cardiac standstill or ventricular fibrillation, just the conditions that the defibrillator was designed to correct. 

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