| Each year, Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is | | | | aid training program is an important undertaking |
| responsible for the deaths of 350,000+ people in | | | | for any business. There are a variety of factors |
| the United States. To ensure the survival of a | | | | and concerns that must be taken into |
| victim, it is of immense importance to administer | | | | consideration to ensure that a new program will |
| instant CPR and defibrillation within 4 minutes of a | | | | be effective. Some questions that should be |
| collapse. However, with an average emergency | | | | asked are: |
| medical services response time of 8-12 minutes, if | | | | * What emergency response procedures are |
| a bystander does not assist in immediate | | | | already in place? Are these programs sufficient |
| treatment, an SCA victim will most likely die. An | | | | for the demographic of the company? It is |
| Automated External Defibrillator (AED) - a | | | | necessary to consider building size, average daily |
| portable electronic device that automatically | | | | number of people present in the facility, and |
| diagnoses cardiac arrhythmia and treats a SCA | | | | normal risk factors. A detailed evaluation of your |
| victim through defibrillation - enables a layperson | | | | company's situation and current programs will |
| to easily treat the victim prior to the arrival of | | | | reveal areas for improvement. |
| medical personnel on site. | | | | * What are the local and state regulations |
| Why AEDs Are Becoming More Common | | | | regarding Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) |
| Increased awareness of various medical crises | | | | programs? The laws requiring AEDs to be on site |
| has sparked a new concern amongst | | | | in business facilities vary from state to state. It is |
| communities: The need for life-saving medical | | | | imperative to research the current laws to ensure |
| emergency devices and procedures in place at | | | | that the company is up to code. Either contact |
| establishments frequented by customers. Thus, | | | | the local or state EMS authority, or notable PAD |
| employees and consumers alike are increasingly | | | | Programming firm (one that has rolled out many |
| demanding businesses to have a variety of | | | | programs and has a solid understanding of |
| emergency safety devices on site, and trained | | | | medical-legal compliance). |
| employees present to accurately assist victims. | | | | * How many AEDs should be purchased? Conduct |
| As the corporate AED program and workplace | | | | a site assessment to determine the appropriate |
| CPR training become more prevalent in corporate | | | | number of AEDs that will be needed to comply |
| America, so do AEDs. Every minute that CPR isn't | | | | with legal regulations. Typically, it is recommended |
| given during an SCA attack reduces a person's | | | | that AEDs can be easily retrieved and placed on |
| survival rate by 7-10% (consequently, a 12 minute | | | | the victim in no longer than 4 minutes of a |
| emergency response waiting period results in an | | | | collapse. |
| 84%+ decreased chance of survival). When CPR | | | | * Is it financially feasible to purchase an AED and |
| is used, there is still only a mere 1-5% survival | | | | develop a new program? The cost of an AED |
| rate. However, when used within the first few | | | | varies between $1,100 and $1,800 per unit. Thus, |
| minutes in conjunction with CPR, an AED can | | | | it is highly beneficial to purchase the device from |
| increase a SCA victim's chance of survival by | | | | a company that offers assistance in developing a |
| 49-75%. | | | | proper CPR and first aid training program. This will |
| These alarming figures, have spurred positive | | | | ensure that the program is created correctly |
| changes in the concept of corporate social | | | | upon first attempt, so that financially costly |
| responsibility and respective business practices. | | | | changes will not be needed in the future. While |
| Proper AED training is becoming a standard of | | | | purchasing AEDs online is simple and convenient, it |
| care, as companies are looking for new ways to | | | | is important to note that many online retailers do |
| see to the needs of their employees and clients. | | | | not offer post-installation or program support. |
| This has become such a high priority, that some | | | | * Is an emergency response team in place? It is |
| courts might rule that not having an AED on site | | | | necessary to designate a program coordinator |
| is a sign of negligence. Government officials have | | | | and a team of trained employees to assist in |
| also realized this need, and have passed laws in | | | | on-site medical emergencies. |
| some states which require AEDs to be present in | | | | * How will employees react to potential changes? |
| health clubs, schools, and other businesses. | | | | An internal, company-wide safety campaign is an |
| Maintaining the appropriate number of AEDs on | | | | effective way to communicate the new |
| site and developing a solid corporate AED | | | | emergency response program, and to get |
| program can decrease liability and insurance | | | | everyone on board. |
| premiums for a company. As new technologies | | | | With just a little effort, any company can have |
| continue to emerge, the cost of AEDs has also | | | | the proper emergency medical devices and first |
| decreased and the units are more accessible and | | | | aid and CPR training programs in place. If a |
| easier to use than in previous years. | | | | company does not have an AED program in |
| Important Factors to Consider Before Starting an | | | | place, someone who goes into SCA will most |
| AED Program | | | | likely die while waiting for emergency personnel to |
| Purchasing an AED and establishing a CPR and first | | | | arrive. |