Know How Inc. AED Program

AED Program

AEDs (Automatic External Defibrillators) are small, portable machines that can accurately analyze heart rhythms and deliver an electrical countershock intended to re-start a stalled heart. Applied early and used in the correct situation, an AED can be life-saving. The AED has been available for many years, but as increasing public attention is focused on the devices, there has been a significant public movement to make the devices readily available As early as 1986, the Journal of the American Medical Association emphasized the role of the AED in resuscitation. The 1992 guidelines in JAMA re-emphasized the utility and placed a high priority on early defibrillation, made possible by AEDs.

Several studies have suggested the utility of AEDs. Dr. Eisenberg showed that patients receiving CPR within 4 minutes and defibrillation within 8 minutes had up to a 43% chance of survival. If CPR was delayed 12 minutes, and defibrillation was delayed for 16 minutes, no one survived. Several other studies support the importance of early defibrillation. AEDs are the critical link in the American Heart Association chain of survival and the only hope for most victims of cardiac arrest. Due to the tremendous potential public health benefit, federal and state laws have been enacted to protect any person using CPR and an AED to assist a victim of cardiac arrest. In 2000 the “federal AED law” was passed to provide Good Samaritan immunity to all such potential rescuers. Numerous state laws are providing similar protections buttress this federal statute. STAT PADS will provide you copies of specific AED laws in your state. These laws are specifically designed to protect you and your employees from potential litigation.

“Can I be held liable if I place an AED in my facility?” is often one of the first questions asked by someone considering placing an AED. Given the documented benefit to employees and visitors, the better question is “What is my liability if I DON'T put an AED in my business? In some cases, corporations have been found liable for NOT providing AED services. Busch Gardens (FL) was found negligent for not properly training its employees to provide emergency care, and for failing to have essential medical equipment, including a defibrillator on premises. Plaintiff was awarded $500,000 in damages (Defibrillators Enter the Business Marketplace, Occupational Health & Safety, August, 1997). United Airlines was successfully sued by the widow of a passenger who died from sudden cardiac arrest. The widow alleged the on-board medical equipment carried by the airline was not adequate to treat her husband. A defibrillator was not on board.

Effective November 20, 1997, Kentucky Regulation 902 KAR 13:120 allows the provision of AEDs to trained providers, subject to certain criteria. Know How has developed a program that satisfies these criteria for the provision of AED services.

The Know How AED Program
The AED program developed by Know How is a multiple phase program designed to satisfy all criteria established by state regulations. Know How works with each site to develop a plan for deployment and utilization of AEDs. Our program is a combination of planning, organization, teaching, re-evaluating, and continuing education.

Setting the groundwork
For a successful AED program, all personnel must be confident in the use of the device. Based on need, Know How can develop a training plan to bring employees or administration to a minimum training level. Many levels are available, from Basic CPR to Paramedic/Advanced Cardiac Life Support. For the AED program, a combination of CPR certification, AED training, and EMS orientation provides a basis for AED utilization. Emergency Medical Technician- First Responder (EMT-FR) is a introductory program designed to address the basics of first aid in addition to CPR and AED skills. EMT-FR training is approximately 40 hours of training.
Selection of AED equipment and location in the site is an important aspect of an AED program. Know How brings its knowledge in emergency response to assist in these logistical arrangements.

Introductory training
Training programs can be arranged to suit site scheduling, including shift work. Condensed weekend or weekday programs are available, as are traditional evening classes. Standardized treatment protocols are used in training, ensuring compliance with State standards.

Continuing Education
Important in ensuring quality of care and that skills stay fresh, periodic refresher classes are held on- or off-site, as desired. This gives valuable opportunity to review critical skills, and keep personnel up to date on proper application of the AED and CPR.

Event analysis
Using standardized run forms, each first aid incident can be reviewed and critiqued. Proper documentation is critical from both a medical and a legal standpoint.

Know How can provide a tailored plan for AED utilization and integrated training to ensure compliance with state regulations and minimization of risk. Contact Know How Inc for more details.

PAD Program
Some large corporations who currently have in-house education, or employees that maintain their own certifications may require only a 'bare-bones' approach to placing AEDs. Our PAD (Public Access Defibrillator) Program provides the prescription to obtain an AED, suggestions on education, continuing training, and compliance with regulations. After providing the AED data from a use, we review all pertinent data and provide feedback and analysis of the event. This provides a cost-effective solution for those not requiring education or site supervision.