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What is an AED program?
An AED program is a plan that can be developed in a workplace, school, or community environment, or in places where large groups of people gather.
What about the Liability and Legal Aspect? Can I be sued?
Legal Considerations -Overview
Many individuals or organizations considering early defibrillation program implementation have questions regarding federal and/or state regulations, and whether or not there exist any liability risks. The liability risks associated with owning or operating an automated external defibrillator (AED) are generally quite small for lay responders. AEDs when coupled with appropriate training have been proven to be extremely safe, reliable, and effective at saving lives that would have otherwise been lost.
"Good Samaritan" Laws
Federal and state "Good Samaritan" laws have been established to provide immunity from certain civil liability actions due to the emergency use of defibrillators. An example is the Cardiac Arrest Survival Act of 2000.
Wide Acceptance, Possible Reverse Liability
Many states now encourage or mandate placement of AEDs in some locations such as schools and health clubs. Their use has become so commonplace, that certain types of organizations have been sued for not having AEDs -- a trend many experts expect to see continue, as organizations increasingly find that the risk of having AEDs is generally much lower that not having
them.
"Do No Harm"
One cornerstone of the legal argument for AEDs is that they "do no harm". Modern AEDs are very specific for cardiac arrest heart rhythms, and only permit shocks to be delivered to victims that truly need them. It is not possible to deliver a shock to someone who is not in cardiac arrest, or harm a person. A victim in cardiac arrest is in urgent need of a defibrillator and will otherwise certainly die. It is really not possible to "harm" such a person or make them worse off. Use of an AED can only help.
Do AED programs differ based on the environment?
Yes. Each AED program will differ based on the needs of the organization; however, the initial steps necessary to form the basis for the program are similar.
What are some things to consider when developing an AED program?
Assessment. Determine the needs for your environment. How many devices are necessary? How long will it take EMS to arrive at your location? How long will it take EMS to arrive at the site of the emergency; are there obstacles such as stairs, secured doors, etc.?
Funding. Determine the budget necessary to purchase the equipment, train employees, volunteers or other staff and provide program maintenance. Legislation. Understand the current laws concerning AED use in your state. Please consult with your legal advisor or local state EMS department for further information on the most current AED legislation in your state:
www.early-defib.org/03_05.html
Implementation. Determine if your organization needs an internal implementation team to manage the program or needs to purchase a solution package to provide management oversight. The management of the program could include a program point of contact, medical direction, program maintenance, data management, development of protocols and response plans.
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Who can be trained?
Organizations should consider whether the staff responsible for AED program oversight, and/or, management will consist of existing staff that already have safety as a part of their job description; or will staff need to be trained? If staff is trained, but safety is not a part of their job description, organizations will need to determine whether these individuals will have a responsibility to
respond.
What is sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)?
Sudden cardiac arrest cases are usually due to abnormal heart rhythms called arrhythmias, the vast majority of which are ventricular fibrillation. Ventricular fibrillation is a condition in which the heart's electrical impulses suddenly become chaotic, causing the heart to cease pumping blood effectively. Victims of SCA collapse and quickly lose consciousness, often without warning. Unless a normal heart rhythm is restored, death will follow within a matter of
minutes.
The cause of sudden cardiac arrest is not well understood. Many victims have no history of heart disease, or if heart disease is present, it has not functionally impaired them. Unlike a heart attack, which is the death of muscle tissue from loss of blood supply, many victims of SCA have no prior symptoms. SCA can strike anyone, at any time,
anywhere.
How common is SCA and who is at risk?
SCA is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. It strikes more than 200,000 Americans each year: nearly one death every two minutes.
What is the current treatment for sudden cardiac arrest?
The cardiac chain of survival is the current treatment for sudden cardiac arrest.
What is the cardiac chain of survival?
The cardiac chain of survival is a series of four critical steps. All four steps of the chain must be present to help ensure survival from sudden cardiac arrest. The four steps are:
* Step one: Early access to care (calling 9-1-1 or another emergency number)
* Step two: Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
* Step three: Early defibrillation
* Step four: Early advanced cardiac life support, as needed
The third step, delivering an electrical shock to the heart, which is known as defibrillation, is recognized as the most critical step in restoring cardiac rhythm and resuscitating a victim of
SCA.
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What is an automated external defibrillator (AED)?
An AED is a device about the size of a laptop computer that analyzes the heart's rhythm for any abnormalities and, if necessary, directs the rescuer to deliver an electrical shock to the victim. This shock, called defibrillation, may help the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm of its own.
How does an AED work?
An AED is easy to operate. It uses voice prompts to instruct the rescuer. Once the machine is turned on, the rescuer will be prompted to apply two electrodes provided with the AED to the victim's chest. Once applied, the AED will begin to monitor the victim's heart rhythm. If a "shockable" rhythm is detected, the machine will charge itself and instruct the rescuer to stand clear of the victim and to press the shock button.
If an AED is so easy to use, why do I need training?
Training is necessary in order to understand the role of defibrillation in the broader context of the cardiac chain of survival. Training in CPR and AED skills will enable the rescuer to use all the steps in the cardiac chain of survival, thereby significantly increasing the victim's chance of survival.
How can I get trained?
AEDalert provides complete training by Certified Instructors. To get a quote for your training session contact AEDalert at 800-560-6768.
Who can use an AED?
In most cases, EMTs and first responders (police and firefighters) are required to know how to use an AED as part of their job responsibilities. Furthermore, all 50 states now have AED Good Samaritan provisions that help protect laypersons. Contact your local or state emergency medical services ("EMS") department to find out about Good Samaritan protections that your state provides for users of AEDs.
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Ordinary People
Save Lives with Extraordinary Technology!
Read more...
* Starbucks
Staffers Save a Life with Red Cross Training
* Red
Cross Instructor Destined to Save a Life
* Staff
Uses AED to Save Coworker
* The
Heart of the Matter -- Wife Uses CPR to Save Husband
* Synagogue
Worshipper Saved by Quick-Thinking Congregants and an AED
* Time
is the Key: Red Cross Pushes AED Awareness
* Red
Cross Employees Have Reason to Feel Safe at Work
Related Sites
*
American
Heart Association (AHA)
* Citizen
CPR Foundation
* National
Center for Early Defibrillation
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