Automated External Defibrillators
Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are an essential tool in the treatment of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Over the years, the devices have become safer, more reliable and more maintenance free. The new technologies used in these devices make them suitable for use by anyone who has had basic training in their use.
AEDs are most effective when implemented as part of an overall strategy which considers each link in the "Chain of Survival:"
- Early access to the emergency medical system (EMS and 9-1-1 system)
- Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
- Early defibrillation when indicated
- Early advanced emergency treatment
In 1998 legislation was passed to redefine the use of an automated external defibrillator as a basic life support skill and provided, through the Good Samaritan Law, some immunity from civil liability to properly trained personnel who use AEDs in a resuscitation attempt and who activate teh EMS system. The text of the statute is provided below.
Files
of interest (click to download):
Rural AED Grants
The Section of Injury Prevention and EMS (IPEMS) has received $95,095 from the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration for the Rural Access to Emergency Devices program (RAED). The grant period is September 1, 2008 – August 31, 2009. IPEMS will be accepting applications for the distribution of AEDs until November 15, 2008. Applications are under Important Documents.
Approved
Training Programs
In
Alaska's Good Samaritan Law (AS 09.65.090) "properly trained"
to use an AED means "that the individual has completed an automated
external defibrillator training course from the American Heart Association,
the American Red Cross, or another automated external defibrillator
training course approved by the Department of Health and Social
Services."
The
following programs have been approved by the Department of Health
and Social Services in accordance with 7 AAC 26.585:
- BLS
for Health Care Providers-American Heart Association
- CPR
for the Professional Rescuer-American Red Cross
- The
CPR component of Medic First Aid-Advanced
- Basic
Life Support for Professionals (BLSPRO)-EMP America
- CPR
for the Professional Rescuer-American Safety & Health Institute
- Respond
Systems AED/CPR
To
request approval of an AED Training program the applicant must submit
a written report that provides evidence of meeting the requirements
set forth in 7 AAC 26.585. Requests are sent to:
Department
of Health and Social Services
Division
of Public Health
Section
of Injury Prevention and Emergency Medical Services
P.
O. Box 110616
Juneau,
AK 99811-0616
AED
Placement
The
Section of Injury Prevention and EMS is interested in knowing the
locations of AEDs so it can implement the goals of the Rural AED
Grant Program effectively. Agencies receiving AEDs under the
Rural AED Grant are required to inform us of the placement or relocation
of AEDs purchased under the grant. We greatly appreciate being
informed of the placement or relocation of AEDs purchased with other
funds. This notification is voluntary and provides us with
important information. The Section of Injury Prevention and
EMS has developed a simple form that can be completed and faxed
to the Section at 465-4101. As an alternative, agencies can
simply complete the on-line AED Registration form that will send
the information directly to IPEMS staff.
It
is important for emergency medical dispatchers and emergency medical responders to know the locations
of AEDs so they can direct rescuers to the device when emergency
medical services personnel are en route. This information must also be sent to the nearest Emergency Medical Dispatch Center and nearest emergency medical services agency in order to retain immunity from liability for civil damages resulting from the use or attempted use of the device.
AED
Usage Form
This form
should be completed any time an AED funded under the Rural
AED Program is used in a resuscitation or resuscitation attempt.
Pressing the “send” button will e-mail the contents
of the form to the three members of the Section of Injury Prevention and EMS working on the Rural AED Project. It will not
be sent to anyone else.
A
staff member of the Section of Injury Prevention and EMS will
contact you and others to obtain more detailed information
on the use of the device and the patient’s outcome.
AED
Usage Form
Important
Documents
Rural
AED List Server
The
Section of Injury Prevention and Emergency Medical Services has developed
an internet list server to facilitate communications regarding this
important issue
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