General Article
June 2, 2005
'Because every minute counts'
Environmental Health and Safety is placing automated external defibrillators in key locations, providing staff training
Easy access to AED units will enable trained staff to easily administer lifesaving care.
Photo by Todd McNaught |
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the sudden loss of heart function and one of the leading causes of death in the United States, killing as many as 450,000 adults and 7,000 children every year. It can affect anyone, anywhere, anytime, even the young and athletic. And it happens quickly — in a matter of a few minutes. However, unlike other health problems of this magnitude, sudden cardiac arrest is treatable. The immediate application of a defibrillator can shock the heart out of a fatal rhythm and allow a normal, healthy rhythm to resume. To be effective, a shock must be delivered as early as possible. The chance of survival decreases 7 to 10 percent each minute an automated external defibrillator (AED) is not available. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is not enough because it does not restart the heart. While CPR is effective in maintaining oxygenated blood flow to the brain, and other vital organs, it is a temporary measure. To survive, the heart needs to be shocked back into a normal rhythm.
Because every minute counts when sudden cardiac arrest strikes, the Center's Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) Department is placing AEDs in key locations in campus buildings and already provides training for proper use. The goal of the training program is to make early defibrillation immediately available in cardiac emergencies.
Each location has been carefully chosen using recommended criteria to allow a shock to be delivered to the victim in less than five minutes within any building on campus. A critical piece of this program is employee awareness of where AEDs are located and how to use them.
AEDs are small, lightweight devices that can be used by staff with minimal training. Through special pads placed on a person's torso, the device can look at a person's heart rhythm and recognize ventricular fibrillation (VF), abrupt loss of heart function or cardiac arrest. If SCA is present, an AED will advise, and will talk the responder through some very simple steps to defibrillate.
Survivors of sudden cardiac arrest usually have the following four things in common:
- Early access into the Emergency Medical System (EMS) — Someone witnessed the event, recognized the emergency, decided to help, confirmed unresponsiveness and called 9-1-1
- Early CPR — Someone started CPR immediately
- Early defibrillation — Someone arrived quickly with a defibrillator to shock the heart back to a healthier rhythm
- Early advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) — Professional EMS personnel provided advanced life support, including airway and breathing support and medications
Everyone at the Center can make a lifesaving difference in a cardiac emergency. Be prepared by attending an EH&S CPR/AED training class. You will learn the Cardiac Chain of Survival, where to locate an AED and how to use it, so you can treat victims of cardiovascular emergencies with confidence. Just call EH&S at (206) 667-4866 to sign up. For more information on SCA and AEDs, please see the "latest news" link on the EH&S Web site at centernet.fhcrc.org/CN/depts/ehs.
