Today's Sudden Cardiac Arrest News:
FAQ's
What is an AED program?
Do AED programs differ based on the environment?
What are some things to consider when developing an AED program?
Who can be trained?
What type of support is needed for staffing an AED program?
What is sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)?
What is the current treatment for sudden cardiac arrest?
What is the cardiac chain of survival?
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.
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.
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.
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 type of support is needed for staffing an AED program?
Organizations should consider the possible salary costs for program staff that are designated to respond in an emergency; any OSHA requirements, such as Blood Borne Pathogens training and vaccinations and quality assurance requirements.
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.
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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