Defibrillation is considered the most definitive care for cardiac arrest - in fact, for the pulseless adult patient, chances of a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) patient surviving without an early electrical counter-shock are less than 1%.
With the advent of AED's (Automated External Defibrillators), this lifesaving technology can be placed in the hands of corporate and industrial responders.
How does it work?
Screen or no screen?
How can Less Stress help us with a defibrillation project?
What are the options?
How does it work?
Most patients, when they become pulseless go through a brief period in which the heart goes into a chaotic quivering due to erratic electrical activity. This is called ventricular fibrillation (VF). VF eventually deteriorates into a total absence of electrical activity, often around ten to fifteen minutes after arrest. The best chance to regain a pulse is when a patient in recent VF is shocked quickly - ideally in less than 4-6 minutes after arrest. An AED delivers electrical current through heart muscle, temporarily ceasing all electrical activity in the heart, hoping that when that electrical impulse returns, it will return in an organized pumping action instead of VF.
With the national EMS response time hovering around 8-9 minutes, likelihood of a successful defibrillation by EMS is poor. In fact, the American Heart Association estimates that for every minute that the patient is not defibrillated, they lose up to 10% off their chance of surviving. A bystander defibrillation, delivered moments after the arrest, can be much more successful. As a result, many companies have begun defibrillation projects.
Interesting AED Links (all open in new windows):
|OSHA's endorsement of AED's
in the workplace (PDF)
|Summary of AED Actions in the 107th Congress (PDF)||1999 Cardiac Arrest Survival Act(PDF)|
Screen or no screen?
Many AED buyers wonder if they should purchase a machine with a screen. The screen allows the rescuers to see the electrical rhythm of the patient's heart. This feature is truly only helpful for individuals who know enough about heart rhythms to interpret them. There is also some concern that less experienced rescuers may become confused by the moving line and interpret that to indicate that the patient has a pulse. As a result, we typically recommend that only sites with healthcare providers proficient in rhythm recognition use AED's with rhythm screens. Here are some examples:
|Type of Responder||AED|
(4-12 hours of training)
|First Aid Team with Occupational Nurse with Poor Arrythmia Skills||Screenless AED|
|First Aid Team with Occupational Nurse with Good Arrythmia Skills||Screened AED|
(can be disabled for non-nurse use)
|Healthcare Staff with Good AED Skills||Screened AED|
At Less Stress, we can help with all phases of your defibrillation project - from purchasing machines to setting up your system and training your providers. We sell and lease the ZOLL AED PLUS Automated Defibrillator - one of the most sophisticated and inexpensive units on the market. The machine can be configured to display the heart rhythm, or left with no rhythm display based on the needs of the site.
We can also assist in the implementation, service and maintenance, and training of your AED response program. We have significant experience in AED program setup and maintenance, and can provide you with on-going support and maintenance of your AED project - even if you do not use our recommended machine.
ZOLL AED PLUS Information:
|General Machine Info||What makes ZOLL AED PLUS Special||Comparison between ZOLL AED PLUS and competing units||Why leasing is a good idea|
What are the options?
The decision to train AED users at a location shows a commitment to health and safety. While we can easily provide a CPR and AED program to responders in your facility, we often find that this type of program is best implemented in combination with a Basic First Aid program. If you are looking to comply with OSHA's First Aid Standard, the CPR/AED training alone is not sufficient. We can thus divide programs into two categories: Combination Training (CPR/AED and First Aid), and CPR-D programs.
Combination Training - Combination training (such as CPR/First Aid or MERT training) is the more common format for emergency response teams in a corporate or industrial setting. It is typically made up for adult CPR/AED, and standard First Aid training, although other modules can be added to it. It fully complies with OSHA's 1910.151 (the 'First Aid Standard'). We also have a more sophisticated program called MERT which adds a couple of additional modules to this program.
Pro's - One
day training, relatively easy
to coordinate, complies with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.151 and 29 CFR 1910.1030
Con's - None.
CPR-D - Some sites do not fall under the OSHA standard, but still want to have a small group of CPR trained and AED equipped staff. This program is roughly 4 hours long, and consists of strictly of CPR and AED training.
Shorter training, less expense, easier to coordinate
Con's - Does not meet OSHA's 'First Aid' Standard
What kind of expense is involved?
CPR-D tends to be a more inexpensive and flexible project. The approximate costs associated with the program are as follows:
Combination (MERT) Training
|Provider Training (details)||
Around $75.00 -$95.00
Around $45 - $65
|Machine Costs||Around $2000.00 per unit (Details) You can also lease starting at around $100 per month with training included (Lease Details)|
|Other Costs||No mandatory requirements, but we recommend a drill periodically at $150.00 per drill to keep skills current. You may also consider budgeting for AED accessories such as extra batteries or pads. Pricing may vary in some areas do to specific state laws and/or requirements.|
QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR DEFIBRILLATION PROJECT? CONTACT US AT: (888) CPR-EMS1 * (888) 277-3671
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