Report an emergency.

The most common reason for sudden cardiac death is ventricular fibrillation, or V-fib. If bystanders provide CPR and use an AED to treat the victim before EMS arrives, survival rates increase dramatically.

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the leading cause of natural death in America, and is responsible for over 400,000 deaths in the U.S. every year. In terms of heart disease, sudden cardiac death is responsible for half of all heart disease deaths (Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation).

Purpose | Scope | Program Responsibilities | Required AED | Response Procedures | Liability and Good Samaritan Laws | AED Post-Incident Reporting | Training | AED Placement and Access | Post-Incident Report

Purpose

To increase individual survivability and ensure the College Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Program meets best management practices as outlined in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Guidelines for Public Access Defibrillation Guidelines for Public Access Defibrillation Programs in Federal Facilities, and regulatory requirements outlined in Georgia state law pertaining to AED use for “Lay Rescuers.”

Scope

The AED Program covers all programs/departments/entities maintaining one or more AEDs. The procedures below establish the standards and responsibilities for the installation, modification, inspection, maintenance, and non-medical response of AEDs on the GGC campus.

Program Responsibilities

AED Oversight Committee

The AED Oversight Committee will consist of representatives from the following departments or agencies:

  • AVP of Operations/Chief of Police (Chair)
  • School of Health Sciences
  • GGC Student

The GGC AED Oversight Committee will meet on a semi-annual basis or more frequently if AED program updates or incidents of AED use require additional meetings.

The AED Oversight Committee is responsible for the following:

  • Dissemination of the AED Program and the location of all campus AEDs to the campus community.
  • Approval of the type of AED unit that may be purchased, the prescription and medical oversight, and guidelines for maintenance, testing, training, and recordkeeping.
  • Identification of the appropriate training resources on campus.
  • Approve a standard campus AED application and registration process, listing and mapping of all AED locations, and a Post-Incident Report form.
  • Review of periodic audits or annual reviews of programs/departments maintaining AEDs to ensure compliance with the AED Program Guidelines.

AED Program Administrator

The program administrator is responsible for campus AED program oversight and record keeping associated with the AED program. Specific responsibilities include the following:

  • Review program/departmental requests for AED purchases.
  • Coordinate with requesting program/department to ensure all are fully briefed on all program responsibilities, purchasing costs, future maintenance costs and training requirements.
  • Maintain documentation of all AED units, locations, and AED Site Coordinators.
  • Provide annual inspections of AED units, and verify that each AED location maintains an AED Site Coordinator.
  • Maintain centralized program budget to replenish pads, batteries, and supplies as required.
  • Maintain a map of campus AED locations and provide AED locations to the local EMS provider and Campus Safety.
  • Conduct a review of each use of an AED incident to ensure the appropriate building personnel, first responders, vendor, and the AED Oversight Committee are involved to review response policies and procedures.
  • Ensure the AED vendor is notified after an AED is used to assist with the download of information, check the unit, and to replenish rescue kit supplies.
  • Update the AED Program, forms, and resource information for users.
  • Coordinate AED Oversight Committee meetings.
  • Other duties assigned by the AED Oversight Committee Chair.

AED Site Coordinator/Building Emergency Coordinator

The AED Site Coordinator is responsible for implementing the AED program within their program/department and serves as the primary contact for the AED(s) in their work area. Specific responsibilities include the following:

  • Conduct periodic inspection checks in accordance with manufacturer literature and record results in the AED online management/tracking system.
  • Identify appropriate location(s) for the AED(s) and the AED signage in buildings where an AED will be placed with assistance from the preferred vendor representative and program administrator.
  • Complete CPR/AED training certification.
  • Identify participating staff/faculty AED users in the building and coordinate certification training and required re-certification training for each user. A list of trained users and a record of their training dates should be entered into the AED online management/tracking system.
  • Notify building occupants of AED locations and trained users. Conduct periodic tours for expected users and other staff and faculty.
  • Through coordination with the program administrator, maintain and/or replace all AED equipment and supplies according to the manufacturer recommendations.
  • Complete AED Post-Incident Report form each time an AED unit is used or if there is an attempted use of the unit.

Required AED

All programs/departments using AEDs will use the CINTAS Reviver.

Response Procedures

A strong Chain of Survival can improve chances of survival and recovery for victims of sudden cardiac arrest. The 5 links in the adult Chain of Survival are: 

  • Immediate recognition of cardiac arrest and activation of the emergency response system
  • Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with an emphasis on chest compressions
  • Rapid defibrillation
  • Effective advanced life support
  • Integrated post-cardiac arrest care

Recognizing Cardiac Arrest

The heart stops beating (ventricular fibrillation, but you will feel no pulse); blood no longer flows throughout the body, including the brain. The person suddenly passes out, loses consciousness, and appears lifeless—except for abnormal “gasping” which may last for several minutes.

Sometimes, Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) victims will experience 10 to 20 seconds of seizure activity (shaking of the arms and legs) at the onset of the event as the brain stops receiving blood and oxygen from the heart.

The SCA victim is never awake and needs immediate help. If nothing is done, the victim will die within minutes. Do not hesitate to take action.

Liability and Good Samaritan Laws

Under the Georgia Good Samaritan Act any person who in good faith renders emergency care at the scene of an accident or emergency will not be held liable for any civil damages as a result of any act or omission by such person in rendering emergency care or as a result of any act or failure to act to provide or arrange for further medical treatment or care for the injured person. It is important to note that nothing in the AED program should be read as creating a duty for employees, not otherwise existing under applicable state or Federal law, to provide assistance to persons in medical distress.

AED Post-Incident Reporting

Following the use or attempted use of an AED unit, the AED Site Coordinator/Building Emergency Coordinator should immediately complete the AED Post-Incident Report Form (Appendix B below) and forward the form to the AED Program Administrator. The Administrator will have the vendor conduct a thorough inspection of the unit, decontaminate the unit, and replace the used electrodes in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines prior to placing the AED unit back into service. Equipment contained in the emergency supply kit stored in the AED storage box should be discarded if used, then replenished. Be sure to treat the used and contaminated equipment that is intended to be discarded as medical waste following appropriate protocol. It is important to note that Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel or physicians who treat the victim may want to retrieve data stored on the AED unit. Contact the Program Administrator to retrieve the information and/or provide the unit to EMS or medical personnel, as requested. Building Emergency Coordinators/AED Site Coordinators and the program administrator will not retain a copy of the post-incident report with personal identifiable information. The administrator will ensure the report is filed with the police report.

Training

GGC will provide a robust training program to certify personnel and maintain training equipment. It is mandatory to have one person with a current certification associated with, and working in the vicinity of, each AED. It is the goal to have five certified personnel who work in the vicinity of each AED. The Site Coordinator/Building Emergency Coordinator should identify the personnel to be certified. Upon successful completion of the American Heart Association HeartSaver CPR/AED course or the American Red Cross CPR/AED course, individuals will receive a Course Completion Card which is valid for 2-years. Volunteers may use on campus trainers to receive certification. Although all GGC personnel are authorized and encouraged to be CPR/AED certified, course priority will be provided to meet the training goal of five employees associated with each AED. CPR/AED certification or response to a person suffering from cardiac arrest is voluntary for “lay rescuer” and non-certified personnel. See the Good Samaritan paragraph above for important clarification of liability.

Appendix A: AED Placement and Access

Facility Selection and AEDs

Currently, OSHA does not provide regulatory standards concerning AEDs. However, OSHA has made recommendations concerning response and placement. While there is no single "formula'' to determine the appropriate number, placement, and access system for AEDs, there are several major elements that should be considered. However, all considerations are based upon (1) an optimal response time of 3 minutes or less and (2) assessing the level of risk in a facility's environment. Factors that should be considered include:

Response Time

The optimal response time is 3 minutes or less. This interval begins from the moment a person is identified as needing emergency care to when the AED is at the side of the victim. Survival rates decrease by 7 to 10 percent for every minute that defibrillation is delayed. We should train many staff, faculty, and students on the use of AEDs to help keep the response time short. 

Physical Layout of Facility

Calculate response time based upon how long it will take for a lay rescuer with an AED walking at a rapid pace to reach a victim. Choose an AED location that will be well-marked, publicized, and known among trained personnel.

Demographics of the Facility's Workforce

Examine the make-up of the resident workforce. Consider the age profile of the workforce because the likelihood of an event occurring increases with age.

Specialty Areas

Facilities where strenuous work is conducted are more likely to experience an event. Additionally, specialty areas within facilities such as exercise and work out rooms have a higher risk of an event than areas where there is minimal physical activity.

Visitors

Facilities that host large numbers of visitors are more likely to experience an event. Conduct an appraisal of the demographics of visitors in an assessment.

Placement on Wall

An easily accessible position. In accordance with ADA guidance, the handle of the AED/box will be no more than 48 inches high (forward reach) or 54 inches high (side reach) and located in such a manner to have an unobstructed approach.

Security

A secure location that prevents or minimizes the potential for tampering, theft, and/or misuse, and precludes access by unauthorized users.

Appendix B: Post-Incident Report

Please print, complete and submit the AED Post-Incident Report (PDF) to the AED Program Administrator.