Apr 25, 2017

Philips collaborates with Singapore Heart Foundation to help save lives

Philips launches ‘Retiree Rescue’ campaign to raise awareness of the need for more CPR and AED training in Singapore

Singapore – Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) has launched a ‘Retiree Rescue’ Campaign to raise awareness around sudden cardiac arrest, and the need for more individuals to be trained in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to increase the chances of survival.

Sudden cardiac arrest can take place anywhere, at any time and to anyone. Every year, at least 1,800 cases of cardiac arrest take place¹ in Singapore, whether at home, the shopping center or in other public spaces. Of these cases, the survival rate is only 13.8 percent². While it only takes emergency services 11 minutes to arrive on scene³, most attacks prove fatal within 10 minutes, as chances of patient survival decreases by 7-10 percent every minute⁴. To increase survival rates, it is critical for victims to receive immediate CPR and intervention by AED.

At Philips, we constantly innovate to find ways to make life better. With the ‘Retiree Rescue’ campaign, we want to debunk the myth that only trained medical professionals can help save lives. In fact, we aim to educate the community on how almost anyone can play a part in helping victims of sudden cardiac arrest with the right training and equipment through this campaign, With the right training, we can give more people the confidence to provide CPR and to use an AED during times of emergency to help those in need, so that we can all play a part in helping to save lives.”

Winston Phua

Head of Brand, Communications and Digital at Philips ASEAN Pacific

Philips collaborated with the Singapore Heart Foundation to host complimentary training sessions for retirees from the heartlands of Singapore because the people with the highest propensity for cardiac failure are the elderly⁵ and the ones who would be able to provide immediate assistance are their peers in the neighborhood. At the same time, this campaign serves to demonstrate that if senior citizens are able to take up this training to become certified rescuers, the wider community can easily do the same.

“Losing my father to sudden cardiac arrest made me understand the true value of people being able to recognize the symptoms, and being able to administer CPR and AED at the right time. Had I known this back then, I might have been able to save his life. When I saw the notification about this training program, I immediately wanted to join even though I was a bit hesitant as I thought it might be quite difficult for me to administer CPR and AED properly because I’m over 60 and have a knee problem,” said Bernard Chan, 65 years old, Certified AED and CPR provider. “Having completed the course, I believe it is worthwhile for people of all ages to join the program, as I truly feel that I am now able to save a life when needed. It was also great to learn that the Philips HeartStart AED is quite easy to use, you just follow the automated voice instructions which guide you step by step throughout.”

“Many people do not get certified or attend such training programs as they fear they are not able to do it,” said Dr. Jade Kua, President of the Association of Women Doctors, Singapore and Consultant, Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. “To make progress, we must demonstrate that everyone can save a life, regardless of age, and that the first step in making a difference is eliminating this fear. The ‘Retiree Rescue’ campaign is definitely headed in the right direction in ensuring that more of us get onboard to be certified and help save lives when every second matters.”

In Singapore, there is definitely a need to improve the out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest survival rate by creating an environment for more effective use of CPR and AEDs. It is great to see that companies like Philips are committed in helping us achieve this and to make a positive difference in people’s lives. We are very excited to be part of the Retiree Rescue campaign and look forward to working together towards a heart-safer nation.”

Mr. Vernon Kang

Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Heart Foundation

Philips is inviting more members of the public to be trained as part of this initiative and has committed to train over 100 of its own staff in Singapore. To find out more, visit the campaign website here.

¹ Singapore General Hospital https://www.sgh.com.sg/about-us/newsroom/News-Articles-Reports/Pages/HelloAreYouOk.aspx

² Singapore Heart Foundation http://www.myheart.org.sg/our-programmes/heart-safe-singapore/4/9

³ Singapore Civil Defence Force https://www.scdf.gov.sg/content/scdf_internet/en/general/publications/_jcr_content/par/download/file.res/SCDF_Quality_Service_indicators.pdf

⁴ Larsen M P, Eisenberg M S, Cummins R O. et al Predicting survival from out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest: a graphic model. Ann Emerg Med 1993221652–1658. [PubMed]

⁵ Ministry of Health https://www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/home/pressRoom/Parliamentary_QA/2008/Sudden_Cardiac_Death.html

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips' health technology portfolio generated 2016 sales of EUR 17.4 billion and employs approximately 70,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.