Let’s face it: Companies these days have an increasing responsibility to be as prepared as possible for time-sensitive medical emergencies. Sudden Cardiac Arrest is certainly one of those emergencies that should not be overlooked. Sudden Cardiac Arrest does not wait for EMS to arrive. No matter how close EMS is to your facility, they are not close enough. This is one of the many reasons that AEDs are being rapidly implemented at all types of workplaces and they are definitely here to stay.
AEDs, also known as Automated External Defibrillators, are easy to use, readily available, and very affordable devices that carry a very successful track record of helping a person survive a Sudden Cardiac Arrest Event. These facts alone are why workplaces have implemented AEDs. If not, then these facts have at least forced companies to consider them.
Understandably, many companies have yet to pull the trigger on an AED Program, usually because they are all missing something they desperately need: ANSWERS. While AEDs themselves are of course the critical piece necessary for an AED program, there is a lot more to an AED Program than just hanging one of these devices on the wall. A complete and compliant AED program involves a series of steps that must be addressed, so that the program not only is compliant, but also carries the greatest chance of being successful. While these steps can seem overwhelming at first, in reality they are simple to achieve if you have the right help and support.
An AED Program requires certain steps to be accomplished. These steps include:
Performing a Site/Needs Assessment
Obtaining Medical Authorization and Medical Direction,
EMS Notification
Choosing the right AED and Accessories
Complying with Federal, State, and Local Laws
CPR/AED Certification of Employees
Establishing Program Awareness
Proper Maintenance and Upkeep of Your Program
These steps can seem overwhelming at first, but if properly explained can be completed in a quick and proper fashion.