Deployment

Establishing an automated external defibrillator program is an important step toward preventing death from sudden cardiac arrest in your organization and your community. In addition to purchasing AEDs, there are several other steps involved in implementing and managing a comprehensive AED program.

Laws

Each state has specific requirements for establishing an AED program. These requirements typically cover obtaining an AED, training, and medical oversight. For information about the laws in your state, visit the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The

Federal Cardiac Arrest Survival Act of 2000 [ pdf 92.0KB ] provides additional Good Samaritan protection against liability for properly trained lay rescuers and acquirers of AEDs.

AED Maintenance

Establishing an automated external defibrillator program is an important step toward preventing death from sudden cardiac arrest in your organization and your community, and AED maintenance is critical.

Required AED maintenance varies by manufacturer, depending largely upon the level of self-tests the device automatically performs. Consult your AED manufacturer and the unit's user manual for complete details.

It is important to identify an individual within your organization to be responsible for maintaining the AED, confirming the device is ready to perform a rescue if so required, downloading rescue data after a use, and replacing supplies when needed. AED.com offers technical support for devices bought through our site. Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and there is no charge to our customers for a technical support call. Contact us at 1-866-469-3800.

In the event that your AED device requires service, and your device must be sent to AED.com, a loaner device will be provided (at the customer's request) within 24 hours of your service call. AED.com provides a variety of ongoing support services, which include conducting drills and providing refresher training. These support services are designed to instill further confidence in rescuers when the AED is needed in an emergency.

Physician Oversight

Physician prescription and oversight are important elements of an AED program. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires a prescription to purchase an AED, and most states also require that a physician oversee an AED program.

AED.com can assist your existing medical director or identify one for you, utilizing AED.com's vast network of physicians throughout the United States. In addition to offering physician services, including obtaining prescriptions for AED use, AED.com can help in the development of AED use protocols, periodic review of AED users, and make recommendations for quality improvement strategies.

AED Protocols

It will be necessary to establish use protocols for your AED program. In many cases your medical director will help develop such protocols. The protocols should include indications, contraindications, use procedures, medical direction guidelines, quality assurance procedures, maintenance procedures and reporting procedures.

Download a sample AED Response protocol [ pdf 3.6MB ] for use as a template or contact AED.com or your local sales representative for further information.

Response Planning

A professionally developed deployment and emergency response plan will help ensure the swiftest possible response time to a cardiac arrest patient. Based on information gathered through site surveys, safety response teams, and facility management, the plan will identify internal notification issues, appropriately trained responders and emergency services notification. The plan will also identify opportunities to develop general emergency awareness among all employees. AED.com's team of experts can assist you with all facets of response planning to ensure a seamless, comprehensive AED program.

Sample Plan [ 3.6MB ]

Site Surveys

Cardiac arrest survival is dramatically affected by response times, and each setting has unique considerations. Whether predominantly outdoors, in a busy urban high rise, a large manufacturing plant, or in a remote rural community, these settings can present challenges to providing effective emergency response for sudden cardiac arrest. AED.com's team of experts can assist you in determining the optimal placement and number of AEDs needed to give Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) victims the best possible chance of survival.

Training

Certified training is an essential element of any successful AED program. AED.com is an AHA National Training Center and, as such, seamless training can be provided for organizations throughout the United States.

AED.com offers the AHA Heartsaver AED course, which is the primary training needed for your AED program.

Educational Materials

AED.com has teamed up with the American Heart Association to provide the educational materials necessary for increasing public access defibrillation. Order on AED.com or fill out the contact form to get more information.

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For more information, call 1.866.469.3800

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