AED Resource CenterEducationAED Program Essentials

AEDs are just one aspect of a well planned first responder program. An AED program should be designed to ensure your facility will have an effective first responder team. It is also important to check your local regulations and state laws for requirements specific to your state. The major elements common to an affective AED program include:

 

AEDs are class III medical devices. As such, the FDA requires a medic al prescription for  AEDs in public access. The FDA has made an exception for the Philips Heartstart OnSite. When purchased for home use, the FDA does not require a prescription for the OnSite AED. As a courtesy to our customers, AED brands provides a prescription with every purchase of a defibrillator.

 

 

AEDs should be adapted to your facility’s first response program. Policies, procedures, and processes can be added to your emergency action plan. AED policies and procedures should give early defibrillation response teams general guidance in response to a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) event. All early defibrillation response team members should operate within the parameters of the policies and procedures.

 

 

 

A complete assessment of your facilities will help determine the optimum number of AEDs and the best placement for the units. The American Heart Association recommends a 3-minute response time to a cardiac event. Review the AED site assessment tool and AED site assessment report to help ensure your evaluation is as accurate as possible.

 

It's important to educate all employees on the AED program and use of an AED, even those who are not CPR certified. Employers should spend the time to inform staff on the different elements of a defibrillator program. Areas covered should include describing sudden cardiac arrest symptoms, AED maintenance, and a demonstration of the AED defibrillator. This educational session is a great way to familiarize employees on the device and procedures.

Many states require that AEDs be registered with the local EMS. Check your local state laws for registration requirements. If the 9-1-1 operating center has access to the AED location information, the dispatcher can advise the responding EMS and the responders on scene as to the location of the AED.

 

 

Early CPR is the second link in the chain of survival and an important part of saving a victim of sudden cardiac arrest. Effective CPR circulates oxygen-rich blood to the vital organs of the heart and brain. When done correctly, CPR can significantly improve the effectiveness of AED defibrillation. CPR/AED certification should be provided for your first responders. Typically, a minimum of 5 people per AED should participate in CPR/AED training. Training certification is good for 1 or 2 years depending on the curriculum. Among organizations that offer CPR training are The American Heart Association, The Red Cross, and The National Safety Council.

An AED is an important lifesaving device and should be maintained to ensure that it is always rescue ready. Devices should be checked once a month and documented with an AED maintenance tag. Be sure to track the following:

• Location and serial number of each AED
• Names of each volunteer responder
• AED/CPR curriculum and training expiration date for each responder
• Expiration date of the electrode pads and AED battery

 

AED devices store event data that can prove to be important in the post-event care of the patient. After a cardiac arrest event, the AED owner should download the patient data and submit it to the EMS. Many states require this data download by law. If you need help in downloading a cardiac arrest event, contact AED brands for assistance.

 

At times, a defibrillator manufacturer may develop a software upgrade for your AED. When AED/CPR guidelines are updated, each AED manufacturer will release an upgrade to comply with the new guidelines. When such an upgrade is available, it is important that your AED is updated with the latest software version. AEDs require various cables and operating systems to upgrade, check with AED brands for specific needs for your AED model.