4120    Automated External Defibrillators

Support Services/Community Services

Purpose: To provide guidance in the management or administration of a school-based AED program.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is a condition that occurs when the electrical impulses of the human heart malfunction causing a disturbance in the heart’s electrical rhythm called ventricular fibrillation (VF). This erratic and ineffective electrical heart rhythm causes complete cessation of the heart’s normal function of pumping blood resulting in sudden death. The most effective treatment for this condition is the administration of an electrical current to the heart by a defibrillator, delivered within a short time of the onset of VF.

An AED is used to treat victims who experience SCA. It is only to be applied to unconscious victims, who are without pulse, signs of circulation, and normal breathing. The AED will analyze the heart rhythm and advise the operator if a shockable rhythm is detected. If a shockable rhythm is detected, the AED will charge to the appropriate energy level and advise the operator to deliver a shock.  This policy is necessary to govern the care and use of AED’s that are owned and operated by the school department.

Program Coordinator:  Athletic Director supported by School Nurse-Teachers.

Responsibilities of the Program Coordinator:

·       Selection of employees for AED training and distribution of AED-trained employee lists as required

·       Coordination of training for emergency responders

·       Coordinating equipment and accessory maintenance

·       Maintain on file a specifications/technical information sheet for each approved AED model assigned or donated to the school

·       Revision of the procedure as required

·       Monitoring the effectiveness of this system

·       Communication with Medical Director on issues related to medical emergency response program including post-events reviews.

Medical Control:  The medical advisor of the AED program is the School Physician.  The medical advisor of the AED program has ongoing responsibility for:

·       Proving medical direction for use of AEDs

·       Writing a prescription for AEDs

·       Reviewing and approving guidelines for emergency procedures related to use of AEDs and CPR

·       Evaluation of post-event review forms and digital files downloaded from the AED

The AED may be used by:

·       Trained employees including: administrators, nurses, athletic/activities director, and athletic trainers.

·       Additional trained staff as identified by the Program Coordinator. Examples: teachers, coaches, field/game managers, office staff, and security staff.

·       Any trained volunteer responder who has successfully completed an approved CPR/AED training program within the last two years and has a current successful course completion card.

AED-Trained Employee Responsibilities:

·       Activation internal emergency response system and providing prompt basic life support including AED and first aid according to training and experience.

·       Understanding and complying with requirements of this policy.

·       Following the procedures and guidelines for the AED program.

Volunteer Responder Responsibilities:

·       Anyone can, at their discretion, provide voluntary assistance to victims of medical emergencies. The extent to which these individuals respond shall be appropriate to their training and experience. These responders are encouraged to contribute to emergency response only to the extent they are comfortable. The emergency medical response of these individuals may include CPR, AED or medical first aid.

School Office Responsibilities:

The school office staff is responsible for:

·       Receiving emergency medical calls from internal locations

·       Using an established 9-1-1 response team (EMS) if required

·       Deploying AED-trained employees to emergency location

·       Assigning someone to meet responding EMS aid vehicle and direct EMS personnel to site of medical emergency

Approved Equipment:  Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) that conform to the state standards may be used.

·       The AED and first-aid emergency care kit will be brought to all medical emergencies.

·       The AED should be used on any person who is at least 8 years of age and displays all the symptoms of cardiac arrest.  The AED will be placed only after the following symptoms are confirmed:

o       Victim is unresponsive

o       Victim is not breathing, or is breathing ineffectively

o       Victim has no signs of circulation such as pulse and coughing, or movement

NOTE: If AED program includes the treatment of children under eight years old or under 25 Kg. (55 lbs), equip AEDs with Infant/Child Reduced Energy Defibrillation Electrode Starter Kit (includes one pair of electrodes, storage pouch and appropriate safety instructions and labels).

Location of AEDs

As funding permits, an AED will be located in each school of the district and on each playfield where a secure placement is available.  During school hours, the AED will be at locations specific to each school that should allow the device to be easily seen by staff, and allow staff members to retrieve the device outside of normal school hours.

After school hours, the AED may be moved from its designated location by an authorized AED-trained staff member.  It may also be moved by a trained, authorized representative of the Town of South Kingstown for a town activity on school grounds. A visible sign must be left in the place of the AED, with the phone number of the authorized representative in possession of the AED, clearly indicating they have possession of the AED.  Each school’s AED is intended for use on school grounds, by trained and authorized representatives, and for approved activities.  Contracted and other community activities are not guaranteed access to the AED as part of standard rental contracts.

First reading: June 28, 2005

Second Reading/Adoption: July 26, 2005