Heart to heart

Dr Ziad Nehme is a clinical researcher at Ambulance Victoria, and has also worked as a paramedic for the past 15 years. Over that time he has responded to countless cardiac arrest emergencies where patients could have survived if someone had recognised the warning signs of cardiac arrest and called Triple 0 sooner.

This is what prompted him to conduct his current research project. Dr Nehme is working on ways to educate both the community and Triple 0 phone operators, so that they can quickly identify when someone is experiencing cardiac arrest and begin life-saving CPR. This research, funded by the Heart Foundation, could save hundreds of lives every year.