Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) claims about 350,000 American lives each year. In most cases this event occurs due to ventricular fibrillation, an abnormal heart rhythm that causes the heart muscle to fibrillate or quiver in a chaotic motion. If left untreated, this condition leaves the heart muscle unable to pump blood and death occurs within minutes. Because sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in our nation, it is a major public health problem. Statistics show that less than 5% of those who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital will survive. Defibrillators, however, have been shown to boost a person's chances of survival when used immediately. Data from studies of lay rescuer defibrillation programs in public locations that show the highest survival from sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the arrest is witnessed and when bystanders provide immediate CPR and defibrillation within three to five minutes of the arrest. Defibrillation, providing an electrical shock to restore a heart to its normal rhythm, is the only known therapy for VF. Unfortunately, for every minute that passes without defibrillation, a victim's chance of survival decreases by 7-10 percent. In only eight or 10 minutes, death is nearly certain. Even the very best EMS systems experience delays from heavy traffic, secured buildings, gated communities, large building complexes and high-rises. In New York City, where emergency response teams fight extreme traffic, the average arrival time for emergency vehicles is about 12 minutes. The cardiac arrest survival rate there is less than 2 percent. PAD in Action Employees of the NUMMI Toyota plant in Fremont have first-hand experience in the benefits of a PAD Program. Over the course of two years, two assembly line workers have experienced cardiac arrest while working. In any other company, they might have died. However, at NUMMI, their co-workers were trained in the use of an AED and promptly applied the AED pads, and let the machine analyze the rhythm and shock the employee back to a life sustaining rhythm. Both employees are back at work, with no health deficits, thankful they work at a company that supports PAD. Two arrests-two saves! Chain of Survival Early Notification Early CPR Early Defibrillation Early Advanced Life Support Who is at Risk? Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is unpredictable. Although the average victim is about 60 years old, SCA can affect anyone, regardless of their age, race, or gender. However, according to the National Center for Early Defibrillation, some conditions can put people at greater risk for SCA including: Age greater than 40 (men) Post-menopausal status (women) Inactive lifestyle High blood pressure High cholesterol Diabetes History of heart disease (either personal or in the family) Unfortunately, Sudden Cardiac Arrest can affect children as well as adults. How AEDs Work Highly sophisticated AEDs that are accurate, inexpensive and virtually maintenance-free enables their use in the home, workplace and public buildings. An AED is a device used to treat a patient with cardiac arrest whose heart is beating irregularly (fibrillating). If the heart does not return to a regular rhythm within 5-7 minutes, this fibrillation could be fatal. To stop the fibrillation, an AED is used to administer an external electric shock through the chest wall to the heart with the use of conductive adhesive pads. Built-in computers analyze the patient's heart rhythm, and interpret the rhythms that require defibrillation shocks. Audible and/or visual prompts guide the user through the process. Most AEDs require an operator to initiate the delivery of the shock in some way, such as pushing a button. In order to have AEDs available more quickly for the persons who need them, some facilities (such as hotels, airports, and country clubs) are purchasing these devices under what is called a Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) program. However, since AEDs are prescription devices and must be labeled with the prescription statement required by law (CFR 801.109), a physician who oversees the PAD program at a facility must write a prescription for the AED in order for the facility to purchase it. Taney County Ambulance will assist with this prescription. Public access refers to accessibility for trained users to use AEDs in public places. Public access does not mean that any member of the public witnessing a sudden cardiac arrest should be able to use the device. AEDs are to be used only by individuals with the proper training and certification in accordance with state and local laws. This is where special training for your employees comes in. Contact TCAD for AED training classes and we will assist you with this part of your program. Good Samaritan Protection Since 1990, our county has had a successful First Responder Defibrillation Program. Now with the Good Samaritan Laws that give critical protection to the AED trainer, the prescribing physician, the AED owner, and individuals who use an AED in rendering emergency care. The goal is to participate actively in strengthening the links in the chain of survival. What Is A "Good Samaritan Law?" Good Samaritan laws: Help protect rescuers voluntarily helping a victim in distress from being successfully sued in tort (i.e. for wrongdoing). Are designed to encourage people to help a stranger who needs assistance by reducing or eliminating the fear that, if they do so, they will suffer possible legal repercussions in the event that they inadvertently make a mistake in treating the victim. Were primarily developed for first aid situations. "Any person who, in good faith, renders emergency medical care or assistance to an injured person at the scene of an accident or other emergency without the expectation of receiving or intending to receive compensation from such injured person for such service, shall not be liable in civil damages for any act or omission, not constituting gross negligence, in the course of such care or assistance." How Does PAD Work in Taney County? The goal of Taney County Ambulance District is to have an AED placed in as many public gathering locations as possible. Our first priority is to support our First Responder community. These are the people responding to the medical emergencies throughout Taney County. Most of the AED’s for the First Responders have been purchased by their host departments. Our second priority is to make sure AED’s are available in all schools. These units are purchased by the schools themselves with assistance of the ambulance district. After that we look at places like: Nursing Homes Assisted Living Centers Community Centers Theatres Amusement Parks/Rides Churches Offices Government facilities Etc. How Can I Participate? A business/property owner may purchase an AED from a qualified vendor. The AED would then be licensed with Taney County Ambulance. This allows TCAD to monitor and inspected the AED each year and follow up with the owner should the AED be used. After the purchase of the AED you must complete and return the attached AED Site Information Form. This report allows the ambulance district to monitor, inspect and maintain quality control. What About Training? If your business has an AED, TCAD will provide all necessary training to the business. Contact our Education Department and training will be scheduled. County Ordinance and Regulations Enclosed in this document is a copy of Ordinance 97-01, Chapter 400. This is the section on Health and Safety Standards. This ordinance explains about registering AED’s, maintenance, protocols and usage. Protocols Also enclosed you will find a copy of the “Patient Care Protocols”. Taney County Ambulance requires those who are using an AED must either use TCAD protocols or other protocols as long as they are approved by TCAD. How Do I Purchase an AED? If you are interested in purchasing an AED just contact Taney County Ambulance District at 339-2898 and the education department will assist you. What Do I Do After I Purchase an AED? After purchasing your AED please complete a "AED Site Information Form". Print this form and fax it to: Taney County Ambulance District @ 417-336-3727. This will allow us to keep track of all the AED's in our coverage area. Thank you for participating in our Public Access Defibrillation Program.