Basic Principles and Practices for Automatic External Defibrillators (AED)
A review of the basic principles and best practices for automatic external defibrillators (AED) begins with a review of state and local regulations. Laws and regulations at the state and local level usually require:
* AED operations training
* Community Coordination with Emergency Medical Service (EMS)
* Medical direction
* Proper AED record keeping for every time the AED is used
You should notify your local EMS about your plan to implement an AED program in your organization or facility. Some locations require the EMS to be notified. Be sure to find out the proper procedure in your area. Your local EMS will want a list of AED locations within your facility. They may want to play a larger role in your program by coordinating drills with your response team.
When forming your response team it is important for team members to be clearly identified and properly trained according to established regulations in the use of the AED. The size of your response team will be directly determined by the size of your facility or organization. Response team members will be made up of a mixed group of managers, office staff members, and maintenance workers.
Location of the AED should be in a large area where people congregate. You will not want to place the AED in an area with a lot of traffic such as a main entrance or hallway. Response time is important in saving the life of a victim of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). Applying the AED and delivering the first shock should be done in at least 4-5 minutes although the best likelihood of survival means shocking the heart in under three minutes.
Anyone who receives proper training in the use of AED may join the first response team. However, the program must be directed by a medical doctor who will provide medical oversight for your program. The medical doctor will sign off on the program, ensure proper training in the use of the AED, evaluate data when the AED has been used, and inform the team about any medical improvements.
Managing the AED program requires the appointment of a manager whose job it will be to keep the equipment checked and in working order, ensure proper training and refresher training of response team members, and creating awareness in the organization by educating all staff members about the AED program. Lives can be saved when all staff members are informed and understand what to do during a SCA event.