Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Policy

USC School of Medicine

PURPOSE:

An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is used to treat victims who experience sudden cardiac arrest. It is only to be applied to victims, who are unconscious, not breathing normally and showing no signs of circulation such as normal breathing, coughing or movement. The AED will analyze the heart rhythm and advise the operator if a shockable rhythm is detected. If a shockable rhythm is detected, the AED will charge to the appropriate energy level and deliver a shock.

DEFINITIONS:

Automated External Defibrillator or AED means an automated external defibrillator which is a medical device heart monitor and defibrillator that:

(a) has received approval of its pre-market notification filed pursuant to the United States Code, Title 21, Section 360(k), from the United States Food and Drug Administration;

(b) is capable of recognizing the presence or absence of ventricular fibrillation or rapid ventricular tachycardia and is capable of determining, without intervention by an operator, whether defibrillation should be performed; and

(c) upon determining that defibrillation should be performed, automatically charges and requests delivery of an electrical impulse to an individual's heart.

Automated External Defibrillator Response Team or AED Response Team means the individuals at the USC School of Medicine Veterans Administration (VA) and/or Palmetto Health Richland (PHR) facilities where an AED(s) is located who have been trained to use an AED.

Trained Rescuers means a person identified by the person or entity acquiring an AED who has received training in the use of an Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillators.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)  – refers to a sudden stop in the beating of the heart when the electrical impulses of the human heart malfunction causing ventricular fibrillation, an erractic and ineffective rhythm, characterized by the absence of a pulse, and respiration

.

Immunity from civil liability for use of AED in compliance with requirements.

(1) Any person or entity acting in good faith and gratuitously shall be immune from civil liability for the application of an AED unless the person was grossly negligent in the application.

(2) Any designated AED users meeting the requirements of Section 44-76-30(1) and acting according to the required training shall be immune from civil liability for the application of an AED unless the application was grossly negligent.

(3) A person or entity acquiring an AED and meeting the requirements of Section 44-76-30 or an AED liaison meeting the requirements of Section 44-76-30 shall be immune from civil liability for the application of an AED by any person or entity described in items (1) or (2) of this section.

(4) A prescribing physician shall be immune from civil liability for authorizing the purchase of an AED, unless the authorization was grossly negligent.

APPENDIX C

USC School of Medicine AED Staff

MEDICAL OVERSIGHT DIRECTOR--------

AED PROGRAM/TRAINING MANAGER -  Tony Johnson

                                                                               Custodial & Safety Services Manager

                                                                               USC School of Medicine           

                                                                               Bldg. 3, Rm. 230

                                                                               Columbia, SC  29209

                                                                               (803) 733-1507

VA CAMPUS 

AED SITE CONTACT PERSON-----------------TonyJohnson

15 MEDICAL PARK

AED SITE CONTACT PERSON-----------------James Sykes

II MEDICAL PARK 

AED SITE CONTACT PERSON-----------------Rosemary Faile

IV MEDICAL PARK

AED SITE CONTACT PERSON ----------------John Hubbard

LOCATION OF AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR’S

&

 PERSONNEL WITH KEY TO TURN OFF ALARM

The University of South Carolina School of Medicine has 9 Automated External Defibrillators throughout both the VA and PHR campuses. They are located in the following places:

VA CAMPUS

1.)     Located in building # 1 on the 1^st floor across from the elevators on the 1^st floor.

(Key is held by Custodial & Safety Services 733-1507 and FMSS  733-3333)

2.)    Located in building # 2 on the 1^st floor beside the elevator.

(Key is held by Maree Steen – 733-3276)

3.)    Located in building # 28 on the 2^nd floor beside the electrical closet.

(Key is held by Tony Johnson – 733-1507)

4.)    Located in building # 4 on the 1^st floor beside the student kitchen.

(Key held by Custodial & Safety Services 733-1507 and FMSS 733-3333)

5.)    Located in building # 101 in the Library across from Receptionist Desk.

(Key is held by at the Receptionist Desk – 733-3344)

6.)    Located in building # 3 beside the elevator.

(Key held by Tony Johnson - 733-1507)

PHR CAMPUS

7.)    Located in 15 Medical Park on the 1^st floor foyer beside Support Services.

(Key is held by James Sykes – 434-4200)

8.)    Located in 2 Medical Park on the 3^rd floor to the right of the elevator as you exit.

(Key is held by Rosemary Faile – 255-3462)

9.)    Located in 4 Medical Park on the 2^nd floor across from the elevator.

(Key is held by John Hubbard - 434-7067)

Response Procedure

In the event of a medical emergency involving a cardiac arrest victim, the responder should immediately call 911 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.

Initial Response

·        Assess responsiveness of the victim. Tap the shoulder and shout: "Are you OK?"

·        Check ABC’s:

A.     Assess airway. Head tilt, chin lift to open airway.

B.     Assess breathing. Look listen and feel. If not breathing, use mask to deliver two rescue breaths.

C.     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.

APPENDIX A

AUTMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR

AED INCIDENT REPORT

DATE OF INCIDENT:_______________  TIME OF INCIDENT:_____________________

LOCATION OF INCIDENT:___________________________________________________

VICTIM’S NAME: ________________________DEPARTMENT:____________________

AED PROGRAM COORDINATOR: ____________________________________________

WITNESS(s)________________________________________________________________

NAME OF AED USER: ______________________________________________________

AED USER TELEPHONE NUMBER: ___________________________________________

WAS 911 CALL?        YES___________       NO___________

NAME OF PERSON WHO CALLED 911: _______________________________________

COMMENTS:

USER’S SIGNATURE: _______________________________________________________

APPENDIX B

AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS

• Coordinates and teaches First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to University of South Carolina School of Medicine Faculty, Staff & Students.               

• Maintains records of all faculty, staff & students trained and certified in the use of AED and on specific AED model they are qualified to use. Maintains CPR certification expiration dates.

• Reviews the placement and access for AEDs and the certification status of trained employees.

• Conducts monthly inspections if AEDs on both the VA and PHR Campuses. Orders and maintains AED equipment and supplies.

• Develop and maintains a school-based emergency response plan as it pertains to AEDs.

• Provides AED Use Reports.