Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Program

Issued: October, 2004

Purpose

The survival rate of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) victims is greatly increased with the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). WPI has instituted this program, enabling authorized users the ability to deliver early defibrillation to victims in the first critical minutes after SCA. Use of the AED will not replace the care provided by emergency medical services (EMS) providers, but is meant to provide a lifesaving bridge during the first few critical minutes it takes for advanced life support providers to arrive. Upon arrival of EMS providers, patient care should be transferred, and WPI responders should only assist in care as requested by the EMS providers.

Medical Oversight Coordinator

Medical Oversight for the WPI AED Program has been secured from Marc Restuccia, MD, Director of Life Flight, UMass Memorial Hospital, University Campus, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA 01655. Dr. Restuccia can be reached at (508) 856-1892.

Campus AED Coordinator

The Campus AED Coordinator is responsible for:

Ensuring that AED’s are properly maintained and a sufficient supply of spare parts are available.
Organizing training programs.
Forwarding all incident information to the Medical Oversight Coordinator.
Organizing a post incident review.

Campus AED Coordinator	David Messier, EOS Manager
Phone Number	(508) 831-5216
Fax Number	(508) 831-5768
Email	dmessier@wpi.edu

AED Locations

Athletic Department - The trainers have two units.
Campus Center - At the information desk.
Campus Police - Two units are located in patrol cars.
Health Center - At the reception area.

Note: The WPI Campus Police Department has a customized AED Policy.

Response Procedure

In the event of a medical emergency involving a cardiac arrest victim, the responder should immediately call Campus Police at x5555 and inform the dispatcher of the incident, location and provide a phone number. An AED-trained individual should transport, or have another person bring the AED to the scene.

After Campus Police has been called, the following actions should be taken:

Initial Response

Assess responsiveness of the victim. Tap the shoulder and shout: "Are you OK?"
Check ABC’s:
1. Assess airway. Head tilt, chin lift to open airway.
2. Assess breathing. Look listen and feel. If not breathing, use mask to deliver two rescue breaths.
3. Assess circulation. Check pulse. If absent, and the AED is immediately available, begin its use. If AED is unavailable, begin chest compressions and continue CPR.

Early Defibrillation

Place the AED near head of the victim.
Turn on the unit and follow AED prompts.
Bare the chest. If excessive hair, shave away and dry the chest.
Make sure the victim is not in contact with water or any metal objects.
Apply electrodes to bare chest.
Connect electrodes to AED.
Allow AED to analyze data. Do not touch victim.
If indicated, administer a shock . Be sure nobody touches victim.
Continue as indicated by AED prompts.

Transfer of Care

When EMS arrives, responders working on the victim should communicate important information to the EMS providers:

Victim’s name, if known.
Any known medical problems, medications, or allergies.
Time victim was found.
Initial and current condition of victim.
Number of shocks delivered, and length of time AED used.
Assist EMS providers as requested.

Post-Use Procedure

The authorized user should place the AED in a secure location.

The Campus AED Coordinator should be notified no more than twenty four hours after the incident.

The Coordinator will take the following actions:

Replace used electrode pads, batteries, razors, gloves and other items.
Unused supplies will be inspected for damage and replaced as needed.
The electronic data card will be removed from the AED.
Battery will be removed and re-inserted into the AED to do a Battery Insertion Test.
The AED will be cleaned if needed.
The incident will be documented using the AED Incident Report Form, Appendix A.
A copy of the AED Incident Report Form and the incident’s data card will be forwarded to the Medical Oversight Coordinator no more than twenty four hours after the incident.

Inspection and Maintenance

The Campus AED Coordinator is responsible for all inspection and maintenance activities of each AED, based upon the manufacturer’s instructions. Appendix B is the maintenance inspection form to be used to record all monthly inspection activities.

On a daily basis, each unit will be checked by an authorized user to assure that the unit is operational by observing that the Active Status Indicator is flashing a green signal. If it is flashing a red signal, the observer will immediately contact the Campus AED Coordinator at x5216 for corrective action.

On a monthly basis, the Campus AED Coordinator will perform a visual inspection of each unit that includes a check on the Active Status Indicator light, a check on the condition of the unit and its accessories, and a check on the expiration dates of the pads and battery pack. Records of these inspections, using Appendix B, will be maintained by the Campus AED Coordinator.

The two units in the Campus Police Department shall be inspected by an officer assigned this task by the Director of Public Safety.

After each use of an AED, a complete inspection of the unit, as outlined by the manufacturer, will be completed by the Campus AED Coordinator.

Training

All AED’s on campus are to be used only by authorized users that receive basic CPR and AED training based upon curriculum provided by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association and provided by a certified instructor. Annual re-training is scheduled by the Campus AED Coordinator, who will maintain the list of authorized users.

Recordkeeping

The Campus AED Coordinator is responsible for maintaining all records of the AED program. These records will be stored in a confidential file in the EOS main office.

Program Review

The WPI AED Program will be audited at least annually to assure that it is efficiently meeting the stated purpose of providing a lifesaving bridge for victim’s of sudden cardiac arrest. This audit will include a thorough review of the written program, as well as a review of all AED incidents that may have occurred. Any changes to the program will be reviewed and authorized by the Medical Oversight Coordinator.

Appendices

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Last modified: Oct 12, 2004, 13:10 EDT