34.3 Selection, Location and Placement of AEDs
34.2 Responsibility #
Medical Advisor for the University AED Program #
Designated as the Chief Health Officer will provide oversight for the medical components of this program, including:
- Recommendations for AED placement.
- The medical review for each use (post event) of an AED.
- An annual review of the AED Program.
- The training component of this program.
Department of Public Safety & Security (DPSS) #
- Respond to a cardiac arrest situation.
- Coordination of post event procedures, including;
- Completion of the written report in Appendix D.
- Contact the Chief Health Officer, EHS, and Risk Management upon completion of the event activities.
- EHS will contact the AED vendor to download the AED use data information and to replenish supplies.
EHS #
- Develop, maintain, and update the written AED program for the University, including the AED locations and contacts.
- Provide vendor information for purchasing AED units, AED supplies, maintenance procedures, post event data downloads, and CPR/AED training.
- Conduct an annual survey of AED units on campus for placement, appropriate maintenance, and employee training records. This will occur in January.
- Maintain contact and provide updates with DPSS Dispatch, Ann Arbor Police Department and Huron Valley Ambulance Service regarding this Program.
- Review Program on an annual basis, and as procedures are updated.
Deans, Directors, and Department Heads #
If AED units are available in the department:
- Designate and empower an AED Departmental Coordinator to be responsible for maintenance of the AED Program.
- Assign resources to support the implementation of this Program, including maintenance and employee training.
- Encourage employee participation.
Departmental AED Coordinators #
- Inform EHS of AED unit locations.
- Ensure the required inspection and maintenance activities are completed, as noted by the AED manufacturer or this Program.
- Coordinate training for staff.
- Maintain the written records for AED placement, maintenance, use and employee training.
AED Vendor #
Tom Perna, Aventric/Heart AED
800 228-3343, ext 232
- Maintain campus AED units in operational condition by being in contact with the Departmental AED Coordinators to alert them of supply expiration dates.
- Conduct annual inspection of all campus AED units and make reports back to EHS with findings.
- Conduct CPR and AED training upon request to staff.
34.3 Selection, Location and Placement of AEDs #
The appropriate procedures to place AED units in a building, department or unit include:
- Obtain permission and funding from departmental administrators.
- Designate an AED Coordinator to administer and maintain the program. See Appendix B for a Sample Departmental Program.
- With the assistance of EHS and the AED Vendor, select an AED unit, an appropriate location, and provide employee training.
- Assure the AED units are maintained according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Maintain written documentation of the employee training and AED unit maintenance.
Selection Criteria for AED Devices #
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides approval for the sale of medical devices, including AED units. So it is important to select an FDA approved model. Technology is developing rapidly so it is important to consult with EHS and the AED Vendor prior to purchase.
- Meet the Food and Drug Administration’s guidelines
- Intended to be used by the general public
- Ability to be used on infants, children, and adults
- Ability of the unit to perform automated self-checks for battery and pad integrity
- Ability of the unit to record, store and download data when it has been used in a medical event.
The majority of AED units currently on campus are Philips brand HeartStart FRx and Onsite models. The models recommended vary depending on the location and intended use of the AED; office area, dusty or wet environment.
Placement of AEDs #
There are several major elements to consider for placement of AED units. The Guidelines for Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) Program in Federal Buildings and the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine – AED Position Statement provide information.
An optimal response time of 3 minutes or less is recommended by Federal Occupational Health PAD Guideline. Survival rates decrease by 7 to 10 % for every minute that defibrillation is delayed.
Other considerations include:
- Workforce demographics; age, health considerations, and occupancy numbers.
- Visitors; large gathering areas, cafeterias.
- Specialty areas; exercise and work out areas.
- Building layout; large facilities, unusual floor plans, physical barriers, and building codes.
For ease of use and security, consider the following for AED placement:
- Near a campus phone to call 911 to activate EMS.
- Located in a well-marked area.
- The area should be easily accessible for use, with consideration for the potential for tampering and theft. Alarmed cabinets are available.
- Optimal height for potential responders and in accordance with accessibility and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) guidelines, including height considerations, and a 4 inch or less protrusion from the wall.
Additional items to be placed with AEDs #
- CPR and AED instructions
- Spare AED battery and electrode pads, note the expiration dates
- Nitrile gloves
- CPR barrier masks
- Scissors to easily remove clothing
- Disposable razor to dry shave a victims chest to place the pads
- Toweling to wipe hair or moisture from skin
34.4 Signage #
Buildings equipped with AED units should be identified with signage indicating the availability of a unit. Universally recognized signage is available from the AED vendor for placement at entrance areas and at the unit location. The locations of the units should also be incorporated into the Emergency Evacuation Plans signage for the building.
34.5 Training #
CPR and AED training is voluntary unless it is part of a written job description. Examples of mandatory CPR/AED trained personnel include DPSS emergency responders and high voltage electrical personnel. Departments with AED units are strongly encouraged to provide training for staff. The availability of an AED unit and trained personnel in the work environment should allow for greater survival rates from a cardiac arrest.
Combined CPR and AED training can be provided by recognized training organizations such as; Aventric/Heart AED, U-M School of Kinesiology, Community Programs, the American Heart Association, or the American Red Cross. Training resource information is provided in Appendix C – AED Supply and Training Resources.
Written training records are to be maintained by the Departmental AED Coordinator.
Training should include at a minimum:
- Recognition of the signs and symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest.
- Instruction for CPR and AED protocols.
- Specific instructions to contact the Department of Public Safety & Security to access emergency medical services; call 911, identify the problem and your location (the University of Michigan building, cross streets or other landmark information, room and floor location), send extra staff to the building entrance to meet the responders.
- Location of the AED units in the building.
- Refresher training, as required by the training organization selected.
34.6 AED Unit Maintenance #
The AED Departmental Coordinators are responsible for the routine inspection and maintenance of the AEDs according to the manufacturer recommendations. The battery packs and pads need to be replaced prior to their expiration dates and other supplies replaced as needed.
An annual survey will be coordinated by EHS with the AED vendor and Departmental AED Coordinators to assure appropriate placement and maintenance of the units, and to review departmental training and maintenance records. This takes place in January.
Examples of an inspection form, inspection tags and signage are provided in Appendix D and are available from EHS. Inspection and maintenance records for the AED units must be maintained in a departmental file with other AED Program information.
34.7 Post Event Procedures #
When an AED has been utilized in a rescue situation it is imperative to return the unit to service as soon as possible. It is assumed DPSS will be involved in all situations involving use of an AED and provide a written report of activities to EHS.
Actions to be taken after an AED unit has been used in an emergency situation include:
- Notify EHS, who will in turn notify the Chief Health Officer and Risk Management.
- Remove the AED from service until supplies are replaced and the event documentation retrieved. This service is available from the AED vendor through EHS. Notify building occupants when a unit is out of service.
- Decontaminate the AED, if necessary.
- A written report of the event will be provided by DPSS to the Chief Health Officer, Risk Management, and EHS. The report should include information from the lay responders, EMS Responders; DPSS, Huron Valley Ambulance, and/or Ann Arbor Fire or Police, and whether the victim was an employee, visitor or student.
- A Work Connections Injury & Illness form must be completed and submitted for faculty and staff.
- FASCCO (Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office) and EAP (Employee Assistance Program) services should be considered for staff involved in the event and coworkers of the victim.
34.8 Technical Support #
All reference programs, regulations, and other documents are available through EHS (647-1143).
