AED
Response Program
The
University of Texas at Tyler has instituted
an Automated External Defibrillator
(AED) Response Program under
the medical direction of Dr. Dudley Goulden,
Professor Medicine, Division of Cardiology,
The University of Texas Health Center at
Tyler.
AEDs are currently stationed (with more
to be added in upcoming years) in the following
locations:
What
is an AED and how does it work?
The
AED is an electronic device that delivers
a shock to restore the rhythm of a fibrillating
heart. When an adult experiences a heart
attack that becomes a sudden cardiac arrest
(sudden, abrupt loss of heart function),
the heart most often goes into uncoordinated
electrical activity called ventricular fibrillation.
During this condition the heart twitches
ineffectively and can't pump blood and death
can occur within minutes. An AED contains
a microprocessor that analyzes and detects
this type of heart rhythm through adhesive
pads on a victim's chest, judges whether
defibrillation is needed, and then recommends
a shock be delivered. The shock stuns the
heart muscle, which gives it the opportunity
to resume beating effectively. AEDs can
save lives.
For
more information on the AEDs being used
by UT Tyler visit Heartstream's online demo
at:
www.advanceonline.com/demo/advanced_heartstream.htm
How
common is Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)?
SCA
is one of the leading causes of death in
the United States. The American Heart Association
estimates that at least 250,000 people suffer
from SCA each year. The median age of victims
is 65, but it can affect all ages.
Why
are AEDs important in the workplace?
For
every minute that passes without defibrillation
of a heart in ventricular fibrillation,
a victim's chance of survival decreases
7-10%, therefore, the faster the response
time, the greater the victim's chance of
survival. City first responders send an
AED on every medical call, but given variables
such as recognition of an emergency, 911
call, dispatch, traffic, and travel time,
it is quite conceivable that City first
responders would not get an AED to a victim's
side in the ideal time frame of three to
five minutes. UT System Administration's
AED Response Program enables trained employees
to respond to a medical emergency that requires
defibrillation.
AED Training
The
cornerstone of the AED Response Program
is training for responders who will operate
an AED in the event of a medical emergency.
All UT Tyler AED responders must complete
the American Heart Assocation's Heartsave
AED (AED/CPR) Program. A4-hour refresher
class is required every 2 years to remain
certified.
The
Environmental Health & Safety departments
offers this training to any UT Tyler employee
interested in becoming an AED responder.
Our goal is to have at least three (3) trained
individuals in each building that an AED
is located. If you are interested in becoming
an AED responder, please contact EH&S
at 566-7011.
Liability
Issues
Texas
HB 580 explicitly extends and broadens Good
Samaritan protection for "citizen"
AED providers, their medical director, AED
manufacturers, and training providers (aside
from negligence, of course). As long as
AED providers maintain the necessary training
and the AEDs are used in accordance with
our medical standing orders, we're in good
shape.
Questions
Should
you have any questions and/or would like
additional information on UT Tyler’s
AED Program, please feel free to contact
EH&S at 566-7011.
For a Texas success story, please see: Airport
Defibrillators Save Another (KXAN-TX36)
Links:
