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Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)

> About AEDs
> Training and Instructional Information
> Get Involved!
> Contact Information
> Frequently Asked Questions

Limited Public Access Defibrillation (LPAD)

In April 2001, the University's Department of Emergency Management began implementation of an exciting and important new program - Limited Public Access Defibrillation (LPAD). The program is designed to allow University departments to purchase and maintain Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s) for use by staff and faculty in the event someone suffers sudden cardiac arrest.

Which AED Is Authorized For Use At The University of Minnesota, And Why?

The Department of Emergency Management began outfitting the University of Minnesota Emergency Medical Services (UMEMS) volunteers with AED’s in 1990. Then, in 1999, a special grant was developed by the state of Minnesota to provide AED’s to law enforcement agencies. A representative from Emergency Management was on the committee that selected the device for the grant and the University Police Department applied for grant AED’s.

The device chosen for the grant program was the Heartstream Forerunner AED, manufactured by Agilent Technologies. The Police Department was awarded four AED’s through the grant and these devices are now in squad cars every day. Additionally, UMEMS has two Forerunners and other U of M departments have Forerunners as well.

Because the UMPD is the primary first responder to medical calls on campus, and because the device is offered through the grant to other law enforcement agencies state wide, and because of the already-installed base, the decision was made to authorize the Forerunner as the AED for use at the University of Minnesota.

This makes sense for several reasons: the police who respond to calls on campus (Twin Cities) and who are in many of the communities surrounding campus (all campuses) are equipped with the Heartstream forerunner. We felt it was imperative to ensure police would be familiar with whatever device was chosen.

Also, there are several other forerunners on campus already. This means that we can concentrate on buying, storing and supporting a single type of device. This decreases the need to purchase multiple spare parts (batteries and pads), simplifies record keeping, data analysis and training, and maximizes the discount available to us on pricing.

In August of 2002, the University went out to bid for a new AED contract. After consulting and reviewing a number of AED’s from a variety of vendors, the University chose to contract with Philips Medical Systems, Inc., and use the Heartstart FR 2. Philips Medical Systems, Inc., formerly Agilent Technologies, had all the components that the University was looking for. Philips Medical Systems agreed to the contract and was willing to swap-out all of the preexisting AED’s on campus with the newest model, the Heartstart FR 2 also.

While all AED’s are "good," the Department of Public Safety and its Emergency Management Department believe that the technological and functional aspects of the Heartstart FR 2 device best meets our needs. Thus, Philips Medical Systems, Inc. Heartstart FR 2 is the only AED authorized for use at the University.

Maintenance

Regular Maintenance:
Once in place, a member of your department will need to inspect the AED weekly. All this entails is checking to see that the seal on the case is intact (indicating that all supplies are in place), and that the flashing hourglass icon is seen. That person will need to email the DEM to confirm that the AED is ready.

DEM will maintain a database of all AEDs, batteries and pads. Annually, you may need to replace these items. The University Purchasing Department is working to implement the ordering process at this moment and you will be able to order expired equipment directly. This means that you do NOT need to keep batteries or pads on the shelf. You can buy them as needed and have them delivered the next day.

Periodically, DEM staff will visit your site and inspect the devices as well.

After Use:
If the AED is used, you will complete a form (provided by DEM) and send it to DEM within 24 hours. You will also send your AEDs Data Card to us. We will provide you with a replacement data card and download all data for QA and records purposes. Dr. Wang will review the data, and a report will be sent back to you. Additionally, DEM will gather additional survival data from the receiving hospital. DEM owns the card readers, software, etc., so you do not need to purchase or operate any of that additional hardware or software.

The last step is to restock the AED and return it to service. DEM maintains pads in stock (we will send it to you at cost, no profits are being built in) and can get them to you immediately.

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Training and Instructional Information

AED’s are easy to learn, easy to use, and easy to maintain. And they are the ONLY effective treatment for the most lethal type of sudden cardiac arrest. Without early access to defibrillation, the victims of sudden cardiac arrest will almost surely die.

AED Cabinet Exterior Instruction Sheet
(212 KB) - July 2006

AED Cabinet Interior Instruction Sheet
(121 KB) - July 2006

AED Informational Handout
(125 KB) - July 2006

Philips Concept Training for the FR2+ Defibrillator
(1.5 MB) - 2003

Watch Philips FR2+ Flash Demonstration

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Get Involved!

We know that the average age of our population is lower than the average age of people who suffer cardiac arrests. We know that AED’s are not cheap. We also know that someone suffers sudden cardiac arrest in 90 seconds, and that more than 20 percent of these people had no previous symptoms. Ninety-five percent of these people die without very early treatment and that the chances of survival decrease by 10 percent every minute that defibrillation is delayed. Even with the best EMS response, the national survival rate for out-of-hospital SCA is between 2 percent and 10 percent. The American Heart Association estimates that as many as 100,000 people a year could be saved with public access to AED’s.

This is your chance to make a big difference. How many other projects in which you are involved can literally decide between life and death?

JOIN THE TEAM NOW!!! Implement an AED program at your department or with other departments in your building. Who knows, maybe the program will save YOUR life!

There Are Four Steps To Becoming Involved:

Contact: Contact the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) to begin the process. DEM will meet with you to give you more details and begin the evaluation of your needs.

Survey: We will arrange for a survey of your site and a formal assessment of need. The end result will be a recommendation as to the number and placement of AED’s for your building or department. There is no charge for this service and you are under no obligation to purchase the AED.

Implement: Implementation has a few steps: First, the DEM will take your order and procure the AED(s) for you (your department pays only for the equipment; there is NO mark-up of any type). AED’s require a physician's signature for purchase.

Since the University of Minnesota has contracted with Phillips Medical Systems, Inc., you must purchase a Heartstart FR2 through them. Due to this contract, the University does receive a discount on the AED unit itself and accessories for it.

Training: Next, we need to provide training for your staff. We believe that the best manner for implementation is to have a select group (as many as you want) of personnel (can include anyone) trained and with access to the AED. If someone is discovered to be in distress or unresponsive, staff would go to one of these individuals for help. However, all staff should be made aware of how to use the device. The DEM will provide AED training to any occupants of the building. This training will cover the basics of the unit. It is highly recommended that personnel in the immediate area complete at least an Adult CPR course that includes an AED component. You can take this course through the DEM, Boynton Health Service, or contract with an outside vendor. The DEM will still provide the AED training so that you become familiar with the specific AED used at the University.

If you have your own CPR instructors, DEM will provide train-the-trainer instruction in the use of the Heartstart FR2.

Finally, the DEM will assist you in coordinating the effort to install the AED cabinet into your building to store the AED in.

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Contact Information

If you are having trouble with an AED or box at your location, please contact the University of Minnesota Police Department (UMPD) non-emergency line at 612-624-COPS. UMPD will page the maintenance supervisor to fix the problem.

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