According to the American Heart Association, more than 265,000 people die of sudden cardiac arrest each year. Sudden cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack. Heart attacks occur when a blockage in the blood vessels prevents proper blood flow. Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops beating without warning. When cardiac arrest occurs, time is of the essence. It’s estimated that more than 95% of cardiac arrest victims die before they reach the hospital. In situations where defibrillation is provided within five to seven minutes, the cardiac arrest survival rate is as high as 30-45%.

Purchasing one or several AEDs for your organization is one way to be prepared for a sudden cardiac event at your work sites. Additionally, training staff members in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and AED use will ensure that if a cardiac event does happen, somebody will be able to effectively assist the person in distress. But staff members need to be re-trained every 1-2 years and AEDs need to be regularly monitored so when you need to use the AED, it will be in proper working order. California Education Connection (CEC) can assist with this. Whether your organization is just starting to consider implementing an AED program or has had an AED already in place, CEC can accommodate your needs.


AED Laws & Regulations: Clearly Defined

PREHOSPITAL EMERGENCY SERVICES

LAY RESCUER AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR (AED)

REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES

 

Introduction

The purpose of an AED program for lay rescuers is to provide that critical third link in the Chain of Survival by using an AED to prevent death from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) prior to the arrival of EMS personnel. Each written Lay Rescuer Automated External Defibrillator Program will differ based on the size and needs of each entity, so there is no one size fits all sample program template. 

 

Under California Civil Code § 1714.21, the state of California provides protection from civil damages to entities that acquire an AED for emergency use as long as the entity has complied with subdivision (b) of Section § 1797.196 of the Health and Safety Code. Individuals using an AED or performing CPR are protected from civil damages if they provide emergency care or treatment in good faith and do not expect compensation. These protections do not apply in the case of personal injury or wrongful death that results from the gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct of the person who renders emergency care or treatment by the use of an AED.

 

Summary of Requirements

 

The summary of requirements is based on the regulations, research and best practices to ensure the success and effectiveness of a public access AED program for lay rescuers.

 

Entities that acquire and place one or more AEDs for employee and/or public use and access must:

 

1. Comply with all statutes and regulations governing Lay Rescuer AED regulation requirements including the training, use, placement, inspection, and maintenance of an AED.

 

2. Notify, in writing, the local EMS agency of the existence, location, and type of AED acquired, as well as other information that the local EMS service requires. This varies by county and by joint power authority (JPA) EMS entities.

 

3. Maintain and regularly test unit(s) according to guidelines set by

·        The manufacturer, and

·        The American Heart Association, and

·        The American Red Cross, and

·        Any applicable rules and regulations set by the FDA, and

·        Any other applicable state and federal authority

 

4. Check units for readiness

·        After each use, and

·        At least once every 30 days if it has not been used during that 30 days

• Inspect every 30 days even if used

·        Document and maintain records of AED inspections

 

5. Develop a mechanism that ensures that when an AED is used

·        The Chain of Survival is part of your AED program and is activated immediately.

·        Follow the Chain of Survival steps:

o Call 9-1-1 to activate the local EMS service

o Start early CPR

o Defibrillate within 5-7 minutes

o Ensure early advanced life support (ALS) upon arrival of the local EMS

·        Report use of AED to the medical director for review

·        Report the use of the AED to the local EMS agency

 

6. Provide training

·        To employees identified as lay rescuers on CPR and AED use

·        To meet the training topics and skills required by the California Emergency Medical Service Authority Lay Rescuer Automated External Defibrillator Regulations, Article 3, AED Training Program Requirements Section 100038, Required Topics and Skills, and Section 100039, Testing; and the standards established by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross

 

7. Develop a written internal response plan

·        Ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.

·        Describe procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency that may involve the use of an AED.

·        Include Internal Emergency Response System procedures regarding activation of the "9-1-1" emergency system and for the access, coordination, and management of immediate medical care to seriously ill or injured individuals.

·        We recommend a separate written plan for AED response & use that can be an  Appendix to your existing Emergency Action Plan.

 

8. Select a Medical Director for your Lay Rescuer Automated External Defibrillator Program Oversight

·        Medical Director must be currently licensed in California as a physician and surgeon

·        The duties of a Medical Director are to

1. Ensure that each member who provides AEDs has a training program for their lay rescuers that meets the regulatory requirements
2. Review each incident that involved the use of an AED and ensure that quality improvement activities are taken, if indicated
3. Participate in developing an Internal Emergency Response Plan to ensure compliance with regulations for training, notification, and maintenance

AED Consultation and Analysis

California Education Connection has a unique program to assist with the implementation, training and on-going administration of your AED program. WebPulse is designed to ensure all applicable laws and regulations are followed and all aspects of the program are accessible to each client via the internet. This private customized website ensures easy access to documentation, reports, policies and procedure manuals.

For more information please click here


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