Making the Case for an AED Program for Your Company
You believe that an automated external defibrillator (AED) program is important for your
company, yet others do not understand the potentially lifesaving benefits. How can you
effectively champion an AED program so your organization is prepared should a sudden
cardiac arrest (SCA) occur at your workplace?
Educate senior management about SCA
CHAIN OF SURVIVAL
Many people still think providing CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
is enough until the emergency medical services (EMS) team arrives.
It is not. Although CPR helps maintain blood flow to the brain and
heart, defibrillation is the only definitive treatment for SCA, and the
sooner the better. Compelling facts to know about SCA and possible
survival from this deadly condition:
• The American Heart Association (AHA) estimates that nearly
300,000 sudden deaths due to SCA occur each year in the
U.S. alone.
• Nearly 13 percent of these deaths occur in the workplace.1
• AHA recommends defibrillation within 3 minutes of collapse,
as early defibrillation provides the best possibility of survival for
the victim.
• Although not everyone can be saved from SCA, studies show
that early defibrillation can dramatically improve survival rates.
Survival rates as high as 74 percent have been achieved when
defibrillation is provided within three minutes of collapse.2
• A study of public access defibrillation (PAD) programs showed
that communities with volunteers trained in CPR and the
use of AEDs had twice as many victims survive compared to
communities with volunteers trained only in CPR.3
• EMS crews can be delayed by multiple calls, traffic and other
variables. In fact, the average response time for EMS arrival on
the scene is 8 to 10 minutes.4 And for each minute that passes,
the chance of survival for a victim of SCA decreases by as
much as 10%.5 Having an AED on-site, with responders trained
in recognizing SCA, calling 9-1-1, providing CPR and using an
AED is the best assurance that a colleague or workplace visitor
experiencing SCA will receive prompt treatment.
The deadly toll of SCA on workplaces, families and communities can
be alleviated by educating people in the importance of the AHA’s
Chain of Survival:6
• 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
Clearly, AEDs and the Chain of Survival can have a significant impact
in saving more lives.
Demonstrate How AEDs Operate and
How Easy They are to Use
Assure your management team that AEDs are designed to be safe,
and are very intuitive and easy to use in an emergency. The devices
provide step-by-step directions with voice and visual prompts so
Making the Case for an AED Program For Your Company
rescuers know exactly what to do. AED users must be trained in CPR
and use of the AED.
Some AED models are fully automatic and do not require the user to
press a button if the AED determines a shock is needed—the AED
automatically gives the shock after alerting rescuers to stand clear of
the victim so the shock is given only to the person who needs it.
If your senior management team has not had the opportunity to see
how an AED works first-hand, provide it. Arrange for an on-site CPR/
AED training course or ask a sales representative from a medical device
company or your local EMS or hospital to provide a demonstration.
When someone is in cardiac arrest, providing a shock offers the best
opportunity for the person to survive and can only help, not harm.
Knowing the facts about SCA can help people overcome the fear
they may have about using an AED to help save a life.
Present a Well-Thought-Out Plan for Setting up and
Managing the Program
Senior management may have valid concerns about the financial
and personnel resources required to implement and manage an
AED program. You can inform them that some device manufacturers offer complete solutions to help employers assess their needs for
AED coverage, then set up and manage the program. Services can
include site assessment, recommendations for AED placement, training and refresher training, and AED inspection and supply replenishment. These services can be especially helpful for companies with
multiple locations, restricted or secure areas, and different facility
types, such as administrative offices and manufacturing plants.
Many AEDs perform regular self-tests and display icons or lights that
notify you if the device is not ready for use. It is essential to establish
a regular schedule for device inspection, carefully track when the battery and electrode pads need to be replaced, and have a database/
notification system that documents when refresher training is due for
the response team, or when attrition requires recruiting new response
team members. Some manufacturers synchronize dates for battery
and electrode pad replacement to simplify program maintenance
efforts. Implementation guides and checklists are also available from
certain manufacturers to help organizations set up and manage AED
programs. These can be especially helpful for smaller AED programs.
Dispel Concerns about Liability
Across the country and around the world, informed managers and
advocates for “heart safe” environments are setting up AED programs in workplaces, health clubs, schools and many other loca-
tions. In 2000, there were less than 100,000 AEDs in use in workplace and community settings. Today it is estimated there are more
than 2 million AEDs in use worldwide, and more are being installed
every day.7
In the U.S., Good Samaritan laws in all 50 states give some immunity
to lay people who help others having a medical emergency. Many
states now mandate AEDs in certain locations, such as schools and
health clubs. The state of Oregon recently mandated AEDs in any
public or commercial building with 50,000 square feet of space.
Become informed about the laws regulating AEDs in your state.
Your company’s legal counsel can advise you about the laws in
your state.
Key thought leaders in public health and safety have taken the
lead in advancing the cause of AED placement in workplace and
other locations.
• OSHA encourages the installation of AEDs in workplaces.8
• 2000 Cardiac Arrest Survival Act encourages AED placement in
all federal buildings.9
• BOMA has made recommendations for AEDs in the workplace.10
• ACOEM supports employer programs to use AEDs to manage
SCA in workplace settings.11
• The FAA requires all passenger flights to carry an onboard AED.12
Underscore the Importance of
People Resources to Your Organization
Senior management teams recognize that people are one of a
company’s greatest assets. The cost of recruiting an employee and
getting him or her “up to speed” with your organization’s systems
and the responsibilities of their role is considerable when you factor
in human resources time for writing and placing recruitment ads,
interviewing by HR and others, and overtime expenses for employees
who are covering a former colleague’s responsibilities. A death in the
workplace can have a huge impact on other employees, with negative effects on productivity, and increased time off work and use of
medical resources.13
Today’s workers are searching for employers that offer rewarding
work and benefits as well as additional perks, such as on-site health
facilities, day care options and other added-value options. An on-site
AED program can round out the balance of benefits a company provides its employees and enhance recruitment efforts while contributing to overall employee engagement in workplace programs.
Cultivate Allies to Support the Cause
You may think your role within the organization does not carry the
position power to produce significant change. Even so, you can be
a powerful influencer whose knowledge and opinion can ultimately
save lives. If you do not feel comfortable “flying solo,” bring others who are respected within your company on board as allies and
recruit a spokesperson for the cause from this group.
The more people who are aware of SCA and the importance of early
defibrillation in saving lives and improving outcomes, the stronger the
advocacy you can build within your company for the case for AEDs.
References
1. www.OSHA.gov; Technical Information Bulletin (TIB) 01-12-17
2. T.D. Valenzuela, D.J. Roe, G. Nichol, L.L. Clark, D.W. Spaite, R.G. Hardman. New England Journal of Medicine. “Outcomes of rapid defibrillation by
security officers after cardiac arrest in casinos.” Volume 343, Issue 2, Pages 1206–1209, 2000.
3. A . Hallstrom, J.P. Ornato. New England Journal of Medicine. “Public-access-defibrillation and survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.” Volume 351,
Issue 7, Pages 637-646, 2004.
4. National EMS Database: Accessed September 2012.
5. R.O. Cummins. Annals of Emergency Medicine. “From concept to standard of care? Review of the clinical experience with automated external defibrillators.”
Volume 18, Issue 12, pages 1269–75, 1989.
6. AHA website: September 2012.
7. Physio-Control Marketing Research Internal Data as of September 2012.
8. O ccupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) Saving Sudden Cardiac Arrest Victims in the Workplace: Automated External Defibrillators.
OSHA Publication 3185, (2003).
9. Public Health Improvement Act, Public Law 106-505-Nov. 13, 2000, TITLE IV–Cardiac Arrest Survival (CASA).
10. Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) Position Papers. 2006. Web Page.
11. The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Policies (ACOEM) and Position Statements. 2006. Web Page.
12. 14 CFR 121.803(b)(4)
13. The Grief Recovery Institute. “Grief Index: The “Hidden” Annual Costs of Grief in America’s Workplace, 2003.
Most AEDs require a prescription. Medical authorization can be obtained from a physician or often through a purchase program.
For further information, please contact Physio-Control at 800.442.1142 (U.S.), 888.879.0977 (Canada) or visit our website at www.physio-control.com
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