AED Medical OverSight; AED Program, Medical Authorization for AED, Automated External Defibrillator; Medical Prescription, Medical Oversight

Implementing an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Program may seem like a challenging task, but it definitely doesn't have to be. With our 7 step guide to implementing an AED Program, any organization can successfully complete this task. Today, we will take a look at the fourth step in this process, “Obtain Medical Oversight”.

In today’s technologically advanced world, there are numerous items which we purchase with little or no knowledge of how to operate. So, in order to effectively utilize and/or navigate our new gadget, we must invest in a technical support plan.

Therefore, since most AED Program Coordinators do not have an extensive knowledge of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) or deploying an AED Program, having a technical support plan is a necessity. In our Industry, this technical support plan is referred to as “Medical Oversight”. Medical Oversight can either be obtained through a local Physician or a National Company who specializes in providing Medical Direction. In either case, your chosen Medical Director should provide the following:

• Signed Medical Prescription (FDA Requirement to purchase an AED)
• Site Analysis and AED Placement Recommendation
• Assistance with EMS Registration
• Review of Policy & Procedure Manual
• Review of Training Program
• Post Event Review & Feedback

Furthermore, your Medical Director should also be a sounding board and a mentor to the Program Coordinator.

HOW SHOULD YOU OBTAIN MEDICAL OVERSIGHT?

First and foremost, if you can find a local physician who has AED Program knowledge, this is your best option as you will have the ability to interface with him/her in person. Furthermore, a local Physician will have a tie to the community and a vested interest in the success of the program.

If you are unable to find a local Physician, contracting with a National Medical Oversight Company is the next best thing. Since their primary business is providing Medical Oversight, their physicians and support staff will have the latest information on laws, regulations and trends in the AED industry.

DO LAWS REQUIRE MEDICAL OVERSIGHT?

At the Federal Level, currently, there are no laws requiring Medical Oversight. However, there are certain states that do require it. To find out more about your state’s requirement, contact your local state legislature to obtain details about the requirements in regards to medical oversight.

WHAT IF I OPT NOT TO OBTAIN MEDICAL OVERSIGHT?

If your State does not require Medical Oversight, you are still obligated by the Food & Drug Administration’s Code of Federal Regulations Title 21 Section 801.109 to provide a signed medical authorization. A medical authorization is a physician prescription authorizing you to purchase an AED. If you do not have a physician to provide this form, there are numerous National Medical Direction Companies who can produce on your behalf. As you know, there is always an exception to every rule. In 2005, Philips Medical received clearance from the FDA to sell the Philips Onsite over the counter without a medical authorization. Currently, this is the AED on the market which can be obtained without a medical authorization.

ARE THERE LIABILITY ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH NOT HAVING MEDICAL OVERSIGHT?

Federal & State Good Samaritan Laws protect individuals and organizations from liability if they do the following:

1. Notify local emergency response personnel or other appropriate entities of the most recent placement of the device within a reasonable period of time after the device was placed.
2. Properly maintain & test the device according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
3. Provide appropriate training to any employee who may be reasonably expected to use device.

As you can see, Good Samaritan Laws do not mention Medical Oversight as a requirement. However, having Medical Oversight will help to insure that the Good Samaritan Laws are accomplished!

Having deployed over 2000 AED Programs across the US, we have found that our most success programs have Medical Oversight. Why have they been more successful than those who have not? The answer is simple…knowledge is power and those who have employed Medical Directors have empowered themselves with the technical knowledge to be successful.

Contact HeartSafe America today to find out more about medical oversite and how to implement an AED Program for your organization. Heart Safe America’s goal is to educate the public about Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) and how AEDs can increase the survival rate.

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.