| 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.
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.
Download
AED Cabinet Exterior Instruction Sheet (Adobe Acrobat Format)
Download
AED Cabinet Interior Instruction Sheet (Adobe Acrobat Format)
Download AED
Informational Handout (Adobe Acrobat Format)
Download
Philips Concept Training for the FR2+ Defibrillator (Power
Point Format)
Watch Philips FR2+
Flash Demonstration (Flash Format)
Quick Links:
Which AED is authorized for use at the U of MN and why?
Frequently Asked Questions
Maintenance
Contacts 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.
FAQ's
How Much Maintenance Is Required?
The device's batteries last more than a year in service, can deliver
100 shocks, and have a five-year shelf life. Electrodes last about
two years (but are single use). You do not need to plug the AED
in or recharge it, so maintenance is minimal.
In addition, the Heartstart FR 2 has a self-test feature. It will
test itself every night and every week (but remains ready for use
even during the tests). To verify that your AED is ready for use,
all you need to do is look through a small window on the case; if
you see a flashing, hourglass-shaped indicator, the AED is fully
functional.
If a flashing red "X" appears, you only need to replace
the battery - this will activate a self-test and usually is the
only problem.
If you see a solid red "X" try replacing the battery.
If the battery replacement does not do the trick, then the device
needs service.
We will ask you to check the device regularly, and report status
back to us. Also, Emergency Management will periodically check the
AED’s.
NOTE: If your device is flashing a red "X" or has a solid red
"X" or your box is alarming, please contact UMPD at their non-emergency
number: 612-624-COPS How Much Training Is Required?
The American
Heart Association and Philips
Medical Systems strongly recommend
CPR before the use of an AED. The DEM feels the same way and will
therefore be providing an Adult CPR/AED training course to those
interested. For those who already have current CPR, a brief AED
training will be provided. You may also take CPR though Boyton
Health Services or an outside vendor.
If you have your own CPR instructors, the DEM will provide training
instructions for the use of the Heartstart FR2+. We also can provide
your instructors with equipment and even a training site!
NOTE: Please contact the American
Heart Association and/or Philips
Medical Systems for more information. Can I Hurt Someone With The AED?
The AED is designed so that it will only shock a person whose heart
rhythm is within specific parameters (for instance, V-fib). All
the operator needs do is verify that no one else is touching the
patient. Additionally, the Heartstart FR2 AED uses low-energy biphasic
electrical therapy. Unlike older models of manual defibrillators,
the amount of energy delivered to the patient is unlikely to hurt
a person who is touching the patient.
Can I Make Things Worse?
Technically, you can… The
statistics from Phillips say the FR2+ will correctly identify a
shock-able rhythm 90% (So 10% of those in V-Fib or V-Tach will
not get the queue to be shocked) and incorrectly identify a non-shock-able
rhythm 95% (so 5% of those who should not be shocked will
get the queue to be shocked). However, this is better than human
error and if you are checking a pulse that 5% will go down.
However, if
someone's heart is not pumping blood, they are dead. The AED
cannot make things worse in this case. It is designed
to work well in a variety
of environments and conditions.
My Training Is Almost A Year Old, How Hard
Is It To Remember How To Use This Thing?
First, you can always take refresher training either through the
DEM or an outside vendor. Also, the device talks! It will verbally
tell you what to do. Next, there is a display screen that tells
you what to do each step of the way. Finally, there is a card inserted
into the case that also spells out the easy steps needed to save
a life.
How Can My Department Get Involved?
The AED Limited Public Access Defibrillation project for the University
of Minnesota is a being carried out by the Department of Emergency
Management, a division of the Department of Public Safety. Medical
direction and assistance is provided by Boynton Health Service
and Physician Medical Director David Wang, MD, assistant
professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota.
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.
Maintenance and QA
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.
The Last Word
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% 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% every minute that defibrillation is delayed. Even with the best
EMS response, the national survival rate for out-of-hospital SCA
is between 2% and 10%. 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!
Contacts and Names
Program Administrators & Maintenance:
If you are having trouble with an AED or box at your location,
please contact UMPD non-emergency at 612-624-COPS. They will page
out the Maintenance Supervisor to come take care of the problem. |
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