HeartSafe America; AED Program, AED Implementation, Automated External Defibrillator, Sudden Cardiac Arrest, SCA, AED Laws, CPR Training

An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Program is key to reducing the number of deaths that occur from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). Our 7 step process based on the American Heart Association’s recommendations will assist any organization in implementing an AED program.

As a result of the American Heart Association, state legislation and notable deaths such as Tim Russert (Moderator of NBC’s “Meet The Press”), Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) awareness is at an all-time high. Therefore, many churches, schools, and corporations are proactively protecting their members from this deadly disease with Automated External Defibrillators (AED). While buying an AED does not guarantee every victim will be saved, it will substantially increase survival rates from 5% to 65-75%. However, in order to achieve maximum results, a comprehensive program must be implemented. Below is a list of steps to do so:

1. Select a Program Coordinator:
   Accountability is the key to any project. Therefore, a single individual must be selected to implement the program and maintain it after initial deployment is completed.
2. Get Decision Makers Support:
   In any organization, it all starts at the top. Therefore, in order for the program to gain notoriety and thrive financially, support from executive leadership is needed. Since most Decision Makers are subjected to large amounts of stress and long hours, SCA should be a concern for them and gaining support should be easy once the facts are presented.
3. Review State & Federal Laws:
   Laws exist to protect people. Therefore, to implement an effective program, the Coordinator must familiarize himself or herself with the Laws that have been put in place to protect those who purchase AEDs and use them.
4. Obtain Medical Oversight:
   As lay people, we may not understand the full scope of implementing an AED Program. Therefore, employing a Medical Professional to oversee program development, deployment and maintenance will have a profound impact on its success. Think of it as a “Technical Support Plan” for your computer. **In some states, Medical Direction and Oversight is a requirement**
5. AED Selection:
   When selecting an AED, research and compare the features of different devices to find the one that best fits your organizational needs. If possible, work with a multi-line AED Distributor who can help you understand the key differences between the devices and consult on the selection.
6. AED Placement:
   If I had to rank the importance of each step, AED Placement would be at the very top. Since AED and AED Cabinets are not the most attractive pieces of décor, many organizations try to hide them or unknowingly place them in inappropriate spots. However, in order to achieve the American Heart Association’s goal of three minutes from drop to “shock”, AEDs must be placed in high traffic, centrally located areas near other emergency medical equipment. In following this recommendation, the device will be very visible and easily accessible if a Sudden Cardiac Arrest occurs.
7. Training:
   All AEDs on the market today have clear prompts, which guide the responder through the save. However, as the old saying goes: “practice makes perfect”. Therefore, it is highly recommend that your entire organization attend a CPR/AED training course administered by the American Heart Association, American Red Cross or equivalent training organization. If training everyone is cost prohibitive, select an appropriate number of individuals to be designated as an Emergency Response Team and have them trained.

Once these steps have been completed, the real work begins. During the initial deployment, enthusiasm and interest will be extremely high. However, after training is completed and the AEDs are placed in their cabinets, most will forget that they exist. Therefore, the Program Coordinator will be responsible for keeping the program compliant and visible. Below is a list of ongoing AED Program responsibilities:

• Monthly Inspections: Every month, the AED(s) must be inspected to ensure functionality. This inspection consists of checking the status indicator and the pad expiration dates (Adult & Pediatric). If the status indicator is “flashing” and the pads are within the expiration, the device is “Rescue Ready”.
• CPR/AED Training: Depending on the training curriculum which your organization has chosen, training renewals will occur every year or every other year. Therefore, the Program Coordinator must track the renewals and schedule re-certifications.
• Ongoing Awareness: As new members join the organization and old members forget, periodic AED reminders should be published. These reminders should include AED location, list of trained responders and protocol for responding.

Deciding to purchase an AED is a great decision and an excellent benefit for your members and/or employees but this decision cannot be validated without proper deployment. Therefore, it is essential that you follow these steps to ensure that if the time arises, your AED Program is prepared to save a life!

Contact HeartSafe America to find out more about implementing your AED program for your organization. HeartSafe America offers six of the top AED manufacturers. Our goal is to help educate the public about Sudden Cardiac Arrest and how AEDs can help decrease the number of deaths from Sudden Cardiac Arrest.

HeartSafe America: Sudden Cardiac Arrest, SCA, AED, Automated External Defibrillator, Drop to Shock

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is the leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for over 300,000 lives per year. Therefore, to lessen the odds of another life being lost, it is critical that every business, school, and church equip themselves with an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Early defibrillation is the essential key to surviving a Sudden Cardiac Arrest and the 3^rd link in the American Heart Association’s Chain of Survival. In order to give a victim an optimal chance to live, the American Heart Association recommends defibrillation within the first 3-5 minutes. A victim's chances of surviving SCA decrease by 7-10% with every minute that passes without defibrillation. Therefore, a cardiac arrest victim who does not receive a shock within 8-10 minutes has less than a 20% chance of survival. Unfortunately, few attempts at resuscitation succeed after 10 minutes.

Once an organization has made a proactive decision to protect its members with an Automated External Defibrillator, placement is key to optimizing response times. When determining the location, it is ideal to use a three-minute time frame or the “drop to shock” principle. Once the victim “drops”, the rescuer has ideally no more than three minutes to retrieve the AED, return to the victim, apply the pads and deliver the first shock. This principle will also help determine the number of AEDs needed to sufficiently cover a facility.

An AED should be placed in high traffic, easily accessible area such as a hallway, lobby, or other area where people congregate. When an area has been identified, the AED should be mounted near other emergency medical equipment (First Aid Kit, Fire Alarm).

In addition to determining the correct number of AEDs and placement, there are several other important elements to deploying a successful AED program such as designating a program director, medical oversight, selecting an AED, notifying local EMS and implementing a training program.

Contact HeartSafe America to find out more about sudden cardiac arrest and how your organization can save lives by using the “drop to shock” principle to equip your organization with AEDs. HeartSafe America’s goal is to educate the public about sudden cardiac arrest and how AEDs can save lives.

HeartSafe America; FDA; Medtronic; Physio Control; AED, AEDs

On February 19, 2010, the FDA has released Medtronic/Physio-Control from any and all shipping and manufacturing restrictions. Physio-Control is free to ship worldwide once again.

On February 19, 2010, Medtronic/Physio-Control received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration to resume unrestricted shipments. This approval comes a little over three years after Physio-Control voluntarily suspended shipments as a result of quality system issues identified in a 2006 FDA Audit. Since Physio-Control’s “Stop Ship” announcement in January 2007, they have been working diligently to identify deficiencies and improve all processes. Therefore, in December 2009, Physio-Control completed all of the stipulations set out in 2008 Consent Decree and extended an audit invitation to FDA. After several months of reviewing and re-reviewing all processes, the FDA confirmed Physio-Control to be in compliance and rendered a decision to lift all restrictions.

CLICK HERE to view the letter by Brian Webster, President of Physio-Control.

Contact HeartSafe America today to order all of your Medtronic/Physio-Control products.

HeartSafe America; CPR Training, CPR, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, AHA

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is one of the most basic forms of training an individual can receive to assist a victim during an emergency. Understanding how CPR can be effective during an emergency is important. Training in CPR can make a big difference in the survival rate of a victim.

Below are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about CPR.

What is CPR?

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is the process of using chest compressions along with breaths to restore a victim’s heartbeat and breathing.CPR is performed when a victim has stopped breathing and he or she has no pulse.CPR provides a continuous flow of oxygen and blood throughout the body.Our brains can only survive 5 minutes without oxygen without doing permanent damage.CPR can double the survival rate of a victim that has no pulse and has stopped breathing.

What are the current CPR guidelines?

Currently, the American Heart Association recommends that a responder use mouth-to-mouth resuscitation along with chest compressions to perform proper CPR.The AHA guidelines recommend two breaths to 30 chest compressions. Of course, the AHA guidelines are updated every 5 years to increase the rate of survival from using CPR.

If you are a responder and you are unable or unwilling to provide breaths to the victim, then the AHA recommends doing a chest compressions only method.The chest compressions only method still gives the victim a fighting chance at survival.

What is the purpose of CPR Training?

CPR is a simple procedure that can be performed by anyone, but with proper training the responder has a better chance of helping the victim to survive. Being prepared for any situation whether it is an emergency or non-emergency is important.

CPR Training is one of the most basic methods of rescue that any individual could be prepared for. Anyone can be a victim of drowning, sudden cardiac arrest, or other medical condition which can cause the heart to stop.With CPR Training, a responder will learn how to perform effective chest compressions to keep blood and oxygen flowing to the brain and to give breaths that keep oxygen in the lungs.

Do you or your organization need CPR Training?

HeartSafe America offers a variety of life saving courses to equip individuals with the knowledge of how to aid a victim during an emergency.HeartSafe America offers the following life saving courses:

• Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider
• Heartsaver CPR Training & AED Use
• Heartsaver CPR Training with Infant
• Heartsaver CPR Training & AED Use with Infant
• Heartsaver First Aid Only
• Heartsaver First Aid & CPR Training
• Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid with Infant
• Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid without Infant
• Blood Borne Pathogens Training

HeartSafe America is an official American Heart Association Training Site that trains individuals as well as large organizations in life saving courses.

Contact HeartSafe America today to get more information about the life saving courses offered and to register yourself or your organization for the courses.

HeartSafe America; Maryland House Bill 293; AED, AEDs

The State of Maryland has introduced House Bill 293 which required a physical therapy office to have an automated external defibrillator (AED) on site and to have a staff member trained in CPR and how to use the AED.

On January 27, 2010, the State of Maryland introduced House Bill 293. House Bill 293 will require Physical Therapy Office to have an automated external defibrillator (AED) on site. The House Bill 293 does not apply to any licensed physical therapist who works in a setting outside of the physical therapy office or hospital or related institutions stated in Article 19-301 of the Health – GeneralHouse Bill 293 prohibits any licensed physical therapist from performing physical therapy unless there is an automated external defibrillator present and there is a staff member present that has received certification in CPR and the use of the AED.

House Bill 293 will go into effect on October 1, 2010.

CLICK HERE for more details about House Bill 293.

Cardiac Science recalls 12,200 more AEDs

Cardiac Science voluntarily recalls 12,200 more automated external defibrillators (AEDs). These AEDs may fail to deliver therapy to a victim suffering from Sudden Cardiac Arrest.

During February 2010, Cardiac Science has issued another voluntary recall for an additional 12,200 automated external defibrillators (AEDs). The voluntary recall is a separate issue from the November 2009 recall. The AEDs included are the Cardiac Science Powerheart, CardioVive, and CardioLive. The AEDs that have been affected were manufactured during October 19, 2009 through January 15, 2010. The AEDs may fail to deliver therapy, thus leading to a possible death of the victim.

The following Cardiac Science AED models are included in the voluntary recall:

• CardioVive models: 92532
• CardioLive models: 9200G, 9231

Cardiac Science will ship replacement models starting February 15, 2010. If you are concerned that your AED is one of the affected models, please check the serial number of your AED here.

HeartSafe America; Revised State of Oregon Senate Bill 556; Senate Bill 1006; AED, AEDs

The State of Oregon is requiring certain organizations to have an automated external defibrillator on site. Senate Bill 556 went into affect on January 1, 2010. Senate Bill 1006 was released in February 2010 with revisions to Senate Bill 556.

On January 1, 2010, the State of Oregon’s Senate Bill 556 will take effect. The State of Oregon created Senate Bill 556 to ensure the safety of anyone that suffers from sudden cardiac arrest at a place of business by requiring organizations to obtain an automated external defibrillator (AED).

During February 2010, the State of Oregon has released a revision of Senate Bill 556. The State of Oregon’s Senate Bill 1006 has specified in detail which organizations are required to have an automated external defibrillator (AED) on site. The revisions require organizations that a single building, with 50,000 square feet with indoor floor space, where business activities are conducted and has at least 50 or more persons in the building a day to have an AED.

Senate Bill 1006 now includes “health clubs” as a required organization that will need to have an AED if that organization falls under the guidelines of the bill. A health club is described as any organization where exercise or athletic activities take place and the patrons participate by paying a fee.

The only organizations that are excluded from Senate Bill 1006 are facilities associated with the education service district, public charter school, or school district.

To view more details about Senate Bill 1006, please CLICK HERE.

HeartSafe America; State of Oregon Senate Bill 556; AED, AEDs

The State of Oregon has instituted a new AED law that requires certain organizations to obtain an AED for their locations. This new AED law goes into effect on January 1, 2010.

On January 1, 2010, the State of Oregon’s Senate Bill 556 will take effect. The State of Oregon created Senate Bill 556 to ensure the safety of anyone that suffers from sudden cardiac arrest at a place of business by requiring organizations to obtain an automated external defibrillator (AED).

The organizations that are required to purchase an AED are organizations that have a public access building of 50,000 square feet or more and that have 25 or more people in the building at one time. The only organizations that are excluded from this new law are schools and churches.

To view the details about the State of Oregon’s Senate Bill 556, please CLICK HERE.

Of course, it is recommended that an organization should evaluate their building to determine if they need more than one AED. The reason for the evaluation is due to “drop and shock” rule. The “drop and shock” rule states that it should take no more than 2-3 minutes for a responder to retrieve the AED, drop the AED, and shock the victim. This rule gives the victim the largest possibility of surviving sudden cardiac arrest.

HeartSafe America, Inc. would like to assist the organizations in the State of Oregon that are required to obtain an AED. HeartSafe America offers six of the top AED manufactures. HeartSafe America works with each organization on a one on one basis to determine the proper amount of AEDs necessary to stay within the 2-3 minute “drop and shock” rule.

Contact HeartSafe America or shop our online store today to find out how you can make your organization “heart safe”.

Cardiac Science Recall on Powerheart and CardiacVive AEDs

Cardiac Science issued a voluntary recall in November 2009 on Powerheart and Cardiac Vive AEDs. The FDA issued a warning letter about the defective AEDs.

During November 2009, Cardiac Science Corporation issued a voluntary recall on Powerheart and CardioVive automated external defibrillators (AEDs) manufactured during August 2003. The reason for the recall is due to the fact that the AED is failing to deliver an electrical shock. The self-test that the AED performs on itself does not show that there is an error with the machine. If a responder attempts to use the defective AED, then the victim has to potential to not receive an electrical needed to restart his or her heart.

Cardiac Science Corporation is correcting the issues with each of the affected AEDs by performing voluntary field corrections on the AED.The following Cardiac Science AED models are included in the voluntary recall:

• Powerheart models: 9300A, 9300C, 9300D, 9300E, 9390A, 9390E
• CardioVive models: 92531, 92532, 92533

If your organization owns one of either of these AED models, you are encouraged to contact Cardiac Science immediately to ensure your AED is not a defective model. The FDA has released a warning letter since Cardiac Science has issued its voluntary recall. The FDA felt that the voluntary recall that Cardiac Science was not sufficient, and felt that a warning letter needed to be released since the AED had the potential to fail to function properly. The FDA wanted to make sure the public knew of the severity of the defective AEDs. The FDA recommends that if another AED is available on site that it should be used in place of the Cardiac Science AED until Cardiac Science corrects the defective AEDs.

To view the FDA warning letter, please CLICK HERE.

Philips Issues Worldwide Recall of Select HeartStart FR2+ AEDs

On September 28, 2009, Philips announced a worldwide recall on the HeartStart FR2+ AEDS. The recall is a voluntary recall, it was not mandated by the FDA. Philips is recalling the HeartStart FR2+ AEDs that were manufactured during May, 2007 thru Janurary, 2008.

The reason for the recall is due to a faulty memory chip in the Philips HeartStart FR2+ AED. Philips is concerned that the memory chip may fail and cause the AED not to function properly.

If you are concerned that your Philips HeartStart FR2+ AED may be part of the recall, you can click on the link below and check your serial number. If you have any questions in regards to the recall or your HeartStart AED, you can contact Philips at 1-800-263-3342.

www.philips.com/FR2PlusAction

If you are interested in the full story that this blog was based on, please click here.

BOMA Associations HeartSafe America, Inc. Dallas TX

HeartSafe America, Inc. Press Release

HeartSafe America and HeartSine Technologies announced the donation of thirteen HeartSine Samaritan(R) PAD automated external defibrillators (AED) to local associations of the BOMA Southwest Region. These associations cover Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma.

DALLAS, May 28 /PRNewswire/ -- At the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) Southwest Conference meeting in Houston, Texas, HeartSafe America and HeartSine Technologies announced the donation of thirteen HeartSine Samaritan(R) PAD automated external defibrillators (AED) to local associations of the BOMA Southwest Region. These associations cover Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma.

Because one American dies approximately every two minutes from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and because SCA is a leading cause of death in the U.S., claiming an estimated 325,000 lives each year, HeartSafe America and HeartSine are hoping to spread awareness of the need for additional CPR training and the need for AED in the workplace. As many as 30 to 50 percent of SCA victims would likely survive if CPR and AED were used within five minutes of collapse. Used together, these tools can mean the difference between life and death.

The HeartSine Samaritan PAD automatic external defibrillator is ideal for BOMA member businesses and offers the following key benefits:

• Ease of use - designed for the minimally trained user, and suitable for rescuers of all skill levels, voice and visual prompts guide each step of the rescue.
• Low cost of ownership - the patented Pad-Pak contains both batteries and electrodes in one cost-effective, easy-to-replace cartridge, with only one expiration date to monitor.
• Durable and portable - designed to be used in most any environmental condition.

In addition to the donation program, HeartSafe America is also offering a generous discount to all BOMA members in the Southwest Region, and to tenants of member facilities.

Each of the following BOMA associations was offered the free AED donation: Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth, Little Rock, and North Little Rock.

SOURCE HeartSafe America, Inc.Copyright©2009 PR Newswire. All rights reserved.