This post is written by guest writer Manreet Sahota, 2^nd year MEPN student

The first Eric Paredes, Save A Life Foundation’s Heart Screening at a university…OUR university, the UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO, was a success!

The Eric Paredes Foundation works tirelessly to make sure teens are screened for the possibility sudden cardiac death, the #1 killer of student athletes and contributes to the #2 medical cause of death under age 25, and the leading cause of death on school campuses.

When MEPNs awoke on Sunday morning, April 9^th many did not realize they would help to SAVE A LIFE.

Sunday, April 9^th, beginning at 7 am, about 60 MEPN nursing student volunteers displayed team work, compassion, and integrity while providing cardiac screening (EKGs) to teens and young adults. The event took place right here on campus in the School of Nursing and the Beyster Institute for Nursing Research (BINR).

Teens and parents checked in at the registration desk in the School of Nursing, then proceeded to a classroom where MEPN students taught teens and parents alike, the basics of CPR. Once participants could successfully demonstrate the technique of CPR, they moved into the BINR building where girls and boys were separated and received an EKG (a test that records the electrical activity of the heart over a period of time using electrodes placed on the skin).

After the EKG was completed, teens and parents moved to the cardiac echocardiogram station An echocardiogram [echo] is a test that uses high frequency sound waves (ultrasound). The test is also called echocardiography or diagnostic cardiac ultrasound. Volunteer echo techs and physicians specializing in cardiology discussed the likelihood of a sudden death experience happening to their child.

Throughout the day MEPN student leaders continued to receive compliments from parents about how well the nursing students were all doing. Parents were impressed with MEPN students ability to build rapport and engage the teen participants. MEPNS dedicated that day to helping 436 participants!

Just to put all of that into perspective for you, you screened:

436 students

4 at risk for Sudden Cardiac Death (SCA)

3 with previously undiagnosed cardiac abnormalities that require follow up

From learning how to properly use the new ECG machines to being so willing to float to each station, it is impossible to express the level of gratitude to the MEPN volunteers.

Many thanks to Dean Sally Hardin for all of her support with this student run project as well as; Dr. Cheryl Butera, Dr. Susie Hutchins, and Dr. Kathy Marsh.

Super, super thanks to 2^nd year MEPNs Daniel Roderick and Kaylyn LaValle (especially for shopping for breakfast and lunch items).