Automated External Defibrillators: Not Just Wall Ornaments

          It has become common to walk in and see an automated external defibrillator (AED) in many restaurants, schools, and sporting events. When spotting a sign that says  "AED," have you ever thought to yourself that it serves a purpose? Many know that AEDs are lifesaving tools when used correctly and immediately in the occurrence of sudden cardiac arrest. However, myself included, have ignored the signs and go on about life as usual, with no contingency plan if I would need to know an AED's location. I urge everyone to pay attention to AED locations within buildings, to have the thought to respond in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest.
          The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (1) reports that for every minute a victim of SCA is untreated, it leads to a 10% reduction in chance of survival. The American Heart Association suggests that defibrillation be administered within three minutes of SCA (2). This critical window of time can be the difference between life and death. This means that public awareness and education is of the utmost importance to the success in the placement of AEDs in public places. It is more likely that a person not trained in medicine will come upon a person experiencing SCA than a medical person. Another point is that the public should not be worried about using an AED in fear of being sued over its use. People using an AED in the event of a cardiac arrest are immune from lawsuits (3).
          AEDs are also intended for ease of use. The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (4) reported that the average time for sixth –graders to begin defibrillation with an AED was ninety seconds, while a trained technician could do the same in sixty-seven seconds. Both these numbers are well below the three-minute window between SCA and deeply diminished odds of resuscitation.
          AEDs do not serve their purpose if they are not regularly maintained, however. The organizations and businesses who possess AEDs should check their AEDs monthly. The website aeduniverse.com contains troubleshooting and maintenance manuals for AEDs manufactured by Cardiac Science, Defibtech, Heartsine, Philips, Physio-Control, and Zoll. Each AED has a different recommended maintenance schedule lined out in the user manual. Common checkpoints on every checklist, however, include a monthly check of the battery power by checking the green indicator light when powered on, batteries’ expiration date, condition and cleanliness of all cables and the unit, pads’ expiration date, and for the adequate supplies (5). 
          AEDs are remarkable machines when maintained and utilized promptly and correctly. They can save lives, and can be used by virtually with at least a sixth grade education. Next time you are in a building, think of an AED as something more than a wall ornament. It could save someone you love.

   

References

 

1. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2011, December 2). What is an automated external defibrillator? Retrieved from: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/aed/ 

2. American Heart Association. Guidelines 2000 for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiac care. an international consensus on science. Circulation, 2000; 102: 160-161.

3. Rho, R.W. & Page, R.L. (2007). The automated external defibrillator. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology 18 (8): 896-899.

4.  U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2001). Cardiac arrest and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) (OSHA Publication No. TIB 01-12-17).

5.  AED Universe: A Northwest Health and Safety Company (2013). AED maintenance. Retrieved from http://www.aeduniverse.com/AED_Maintenance_s/115.htm.  

Ethan Boren