AEDs IN THE COMMUNITY: WHY?What is an AED?An AED or automatic external defibrillator is a device that sends an electrical pulse through the heart shocking it out of a fatal rhythm and allowing a normal, healthy rhythm to resume. It is used for treatment of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Why are Public Access AEDs important?Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is one of the leading causes of death in Survival from sudden cardiac arrest depends on a strong Chain of Survival. This includes early access of the The good news: Sudden cardiac arrest is survivable. Recent New England Journal of Medicine studies show that when AEDs are used within the first 3 minutes of a SCA there is a 74 percent survival rate. In communities that have been proactive in implementing an AED program survival rates have increased to 30 to 50 percent and more. However, the chance of an SCA victim's survival decreases by 10 percent with every minute that passes. Because of the lack of public access AEDs in most communities today, fewer than five percent of victims survive. Why does my community organization need an AED?AEDs save lives - period. Why can't I just call 911?Emergency Medical Services (EMS) may not respond fast enough to save someone in cardiac arrest. In fact, the national average response time is 10-12 minutes, so even the best EMS responders could have difficulty arriving in time. Besides traffic, consider the time needed to make it to a patient's side at a ball game or in a crowded church for example. AEDs offer a practical way to save more lives because they are designed for use by nearly anyone. Widespread deployment of AEDs gives SCA victims the best chance of survival. AEDs IN THE COMMUNITY: HOW?Are AEDs easy to use?YES! In the past, defibrillators were complicated and cumbersome. Only medical professionals with extensive training in heart rhythm interpretation could use them. Today, Philips and other companies have developed light-weight portable public access Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) that are very easy to use. They are becoming increasingly present in public venues. You may have already noticed them at the ballpark, airport, your health club or in other locations. These devices are for YOU to use if you are present during a cardiac emergency. The devices read heart rhythms and determine whether a shock should be delivered. They use audio and visual prompts to guide the first responder from the moment they pull the AED box off the wall. How does our community group purchase an AED?Call us at (707) 453-1410! ABC Health & Safety Training is a sub-distributor of high quality and affordable AED products. We specialize in the Philips HeartStart model. What Training is required?We strongly recommend training for all group members that would be expected to use an AED in the event it is needed. We come to your location, set the device up on site for you, teach you how to use it, and then run you through several reality-based scenarios to help you become familiar with how to access and use your AED. CPR training is a pre-requisite. If your group is not already certified, ABC H&ST can combine these training sessions into one comprehensive class. What else is involved?
1. Medical Doctor's Prescription*ABC H&ST’s distributor has a physician on staff that signs off on AED sales and properly documents the transaction. 2. Annual Medical DirectionEach AED requires medical direction. The use of these devices is closely monitored to ensure their effectiveness and safety. They need to be evaluated on an annual basis to ensure that they are in working order and in appropriate locations. If they are used, an event review needs to take place within 24 to 48 hours of the incident. An event review includes downloading of information from the AED by the prescribing physician and the local 3. Training and Certification Bi-annuallyABC H&ST will get all your staff up and running with a thorough CPR and AED training session. We will continue to support you by offering re-certification courses on an as needed basis or at least once every 2 years. * Please note: Philips HeartStart Onsite defibrillator is the only AED that has been approved by the FDA for purchase without a physician’s prescription. What liability do we incur by deploying AEDs in our facilities - or by not having AEDs on-site?The laws surrounding AED usage vary from state to state. All states but one have passed Good Samaritan laws with language about AEDs. Additionally, the Cardiac Arrest Survival Act, which was passed by Congress and signed by President Clinton in 2000, provides AED users and acquirers with protection from liability. This and similar legislation underway is helping to make AEDs the standard of care for SCA, and as such, organizations are increasingly at greater liability for failing to have these life-saving devices on-site. For more information, visit the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association at http://www.suddencardiacarrest.org/default.asp.
ABC Health & Safety Training, (707) 453-1410 |
