Facility Safety Management

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AEDs Can Save The Lives Of Co-Workers, Clients
BY LAQUITA OWENS

Can automated external defibrillators really save your life or the life of a coworker? Experts and medical associations consistently say yes.

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) acknowledged
the role automated external defibrillators can play in saving the life of someone having a sudden cardiac arrest.

The study concludes that early defibrillation can improve the survival rate for victims. Also, acknowledging AED as an important component of emergency medical systems and its advancement in technology have helped its use spread to “non-traditional” first responders and the common public.

Though more information about the effect of public access to defibrillation programs on victims of sudden cardiac arrest is necessary, “defibrillation is the only effective treatment for most sudden cardiac arrests and the use of AEDs by trained personnel has reduced time to defibrillation — a critical point in increasing the chances of survival for someone in cardiac arrest,” said American Heart Association President, Rose Marie Robertson, M.D.

More than 600,000 people die each year from sudden cardiac arrest in North America and Europe. Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart simply stops beating. This can occur in anyone, at anytime and in any place. Even in the workplace.

What is defibrillation exactly? Defibrillation is a medical technique used to counter the onset of ventricular fibrillation ( a condition that consists of a lack of coordination of the contraction of the muscle tissue of the large chambers of the heart that eventually leads to the heart stopping altogether),a common cause of cardiac arrest.
How does an AED machine work? According to the American Red Cross, an easy to operate AED uses voice prompts to instruct the rescuer. Once the machine is turned on, the rescuer is instructed to apply the two electrode pads to the victim’s chest. When this is done, the AED will monitor the victim’s heart rhythm. If there is a “shock-able” rhythm detected, the machine will charge itself and instruct the rescuer to stand clear of the victim and to press the shock button.
Does my office or facility need an AED? Although, not required by law, most occupational associations are definitely in favor of them. In fact, The American Heart Association stated on the Federal Occupational Health website that 100,000 lives could be saved each year if AEDs were located in more public buildings.

The American Red Cross recommends that people who spend their work days inside offices, business parks, industrial plants, and retail locations should have AEDs in place.

According to research, shopping malls are one of the most likely places for sudden cardiac arrest to occur. They also recommend medical and dental offices have a defibrillator on hand.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration stated that in 1999 and 2000, 815 of 6,339 workplace fatalities reported to them were caused by cardiac arrest. In fact, shift work, high stress, chemical exposure and electrical hazards increase the risks of heart disease and cardiac arrest.

OSHA also believes that having an AED readily available in your facility can save precious time and improves the survival odds because emergency help can be administered before the paramedics arrive.
AEDs should be conveniently installed to ensure response within 3-5 minutes:
• Areas where many people work closely together, such as assembly lines and office buildings;
• Close to a confined space;
• Areas where electric-powered devices are used;
• Outdoor worksites where lightning may occur;
• Health units where workers may seek treatment for heart attack symptoms;
• Company fitness units and cafeterias; and
• Remote sites, such as off-shore drilling rigs, construction projects, marine vessels, power transmission lines, and energy pipe lines.

Training and Implementation
Should everyone be trained? What sort of program do we need? The American Red Cross recommends that your program development be divided into three parts: Assessment, Funding and Implementation.

Assessment: First, determine your facility needs.
Funding: Second, decide your company’s budget for the purchasing of a machine, the cost to train employees and the cost to keep your program up to date.
Implementation: Third, assign a program team for your organization. There should be details worked out such as point of contact, medical direction, program maintenance, data management, development of protocols and response plans. It is also recommended that you become familiar
with the current laws concerning AED use in your state. Always consult your legal advisor or local EMS department for legal information. Sources for such information include the National Center
for Early Defibrillation (www.early-defib.org/default.asp); The American Red Cross published a state-by-state “Good Samaritan” Chart in 2004 (www.redcross.org/services/hss/courses/AEDGood-
SamChart2004.pdf ) and OSHA provides several links for more information (www.osha.gov/SLTC/aed/solutions.html).
To ensure your facility receives proper training you can also visit www.redcrosscmd.org/Chapter/aeds.html#train. FSM