More than 50% of cardiac\narrest cases occur outside a hospital. And it could be anywhere; at home, on\nthe road, at work, anywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That explains why employers\nmust take precaution in their workplace and prepare to act fast in case of a\nsudden cardiac arrest (SCA)?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Well, we all know that the recommended first aid for any SCA victim is Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation<\/a>, popularly known as CPR. <\/p>\n\n\n \n\n\n But how many staffs in your\nworkstations have the necessary skills to issue CPR to a colleague? Maybe one\nor two employees with CPR training; in the worst cases, we have no one with\nknowledge about resuscitation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Many employers forget to\nimplement such training programs or onboard staff with exceptional basic\nlifesaving skillsets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So you mull over your\noptions and think; maybe if you had AEDs (automated external defibrillators)\naround the environment and more CPR-certified employees then you would be ready\nto handle SCA cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And then you can introduce\na CPR training program or challenge your workers to earn the certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This article will discuss AEDs at large; their significance in the workplace, workstations that need these gadgets and how to choose the right one for your staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These automatic external defibrillators are used to\nreestablish a normal heart rhythm. It functions by sending an appropriate\nelectric shock to the heart. This helps to treat or prevent arrhythmia when the\nheart is beating either quickly or slowly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The shock is\ngenerated by a battery within the machine. It is transmitted to the heart\nthrough specific electrodes that are placed on the victim’s chest. This way, the machine can interpret the\nheartbeat and send an appropriate feedback impulse that can help stop the\ncardiac arrest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are various variants of defibrillators that are used in different medical conditions. These devices are often found in public places such as malls and offices. They were invented to help save a person suffering from a sudden cardiac arrest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The portable\ndefibrillators come with instructions on how they can be used to save a life.\nAn untrained worker can be able to use this machine without prior proper\nexperience. This is because it comes with a straight-to-the-point user manual\non how to operate it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These automated\nexternal defibrillators can be used on people of almost all ages. But before\nyou use this tool, confirm if it is a cardiac arrest emergency by checking for\nthe right signs<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s how to use\nan AED:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Quickly locate the\nAED device and go through the instructions on how to operate it carefully. The device should include instructions\non how to deliver the electrical charge. You may also be requested to provide\nmore than one shock, depending on the situation. <\/p>\n\n \n\n\n The AED\nmanufacturer may advise you to apply immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation\nafter using it. Make sure you are ready and prepared to conduct CPR. When the\nemergency service providers arrive, ensure you notify them that you used an\nautomated external defibrillator on the victim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In case you face any difficulties using an automated\nexternal defibrillator, you can seek assistance from a colleague.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the device malfunctions or results in an injury, you\ncan file a complaint at the Food and Drug Administration\u2019s Official website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Work Offices: <\/strong>OSHA, the body that supervises staff wellbeing says over 10K cases of sudden cardiac arrest occur in workplaces every year. But despite this scary figure, there\u2019s no provision in the law books than makes it mandatory for employers to provide AEDs in offices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yet based on past\nexperiences, AEDs have saved lives in offices. Providing them in workplaces can\nhelp sustain sudden cardiac arrest victims before trained medics arrive, and increase\nsurvival chances a great deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Academic Centers: <\/strong>In the US, less than half (only 17 of all 50)\nstates require school admins to add AEDs in\nacademic institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More states should make it\na requirement given over 6900 children succumb to cardiac arrest every year,\nmore so if you consider that an AED intervention within 3 minutes of a\ncollapse can boost up survival chances\nto 72 percent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n No wonder schools should\nhave AEDs and instructors should undergo basic life support training<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gyms and Sports hubs: <\/strong>Though anyone can be an SCA victim regardless of their age, sex, weight and health status, sportspeople are at a higher risk (three times)of cardiac arrest while training in gyms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An arrest\nhappens when an individual\u2019s heart deviates from its normal flow, also known as\nventricular fibrillation. Ventricular fibrillation is when the two lower\nchambers are derived from normal flow action.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This deteriorates\nthe blood supply mechanism of the heart. Blood transfer to vital organ systems\nis affected and, in certain instances, it may halt completely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ventricular fibrillation can be triggered by many reasons such as a blow or kick to the chest and exertion of excessive pressure during exercise. If the affected is not defibrillated in five minutes the outcome may be fatal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Communal Transport: <\/strong>US citizens use some form of public means of\ntransport over 30 million times every weekday. With this high figure, it means\nwe can save many American lives if we had AEDs installed in public transport\nvehicles, trains or airplanes<\/p>\n\n\n\n Public transport operators\ncan make changes to keep their staff and passengers safer by having AEDs\nreadily available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sudden cardiac arrest can\nhappen to anyone at anytime. And when it happens, an AED accompanied by quality\nCPR is the best way to save a life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is a list of factors\nto consider when you choose to provide Automatic External Defibrillators to\nyour workstation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The right implementation accompanied by continuous management\nand practice can help save more lives.<\/p>\n\n\n \n\n\n Discover the three things\nto do before implementing an AED program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Analyze your needs: <\/strong>Analyzing your workstation upfront can help\nyou learn the dangers of SCA. Look at indicators like the age of your staff and\nother factors such as the level of physical activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You will need AEDs if you work with an aging workforce and organizational processes involve a lot of physical work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In most cases, a worker is well-placed to respond in 3 to 5 minutes than a trained expert who may arrive late. That explains why automated external defibrillators should be made available<\/a> and staff should undergo CPR training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Combining AED and CPR\nwithin the 5-minute window increases the survival chances by up to 75 percent\nfrom 5 percent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Determine the location: <\/strong>Nearly half of working US citizen can\u2019t tell where an AED is stored at their workstation. Where you place and install your AEDs determines whether it will help save lives or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember, the survival chances go down by 10 percent with every minute that follows the sudden cardiac arrest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s why you need to\nplace these gadgets in accessible positions and inform all employees about\ntheir whereabouts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When choosing where to\nplace your AED, remember to consider its safety; it must be protected from\nburglary, interference, and damage, but it should never be store far away in a closed\ncupboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When storing also consider your surroundings; if your area experiences cold and wet conditions then it may not be a good idea to place it out-of-doors. If you do, make sure to protect your automated external defibrillators from moisture and dust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, consider disabled staff when placing your AEDs. Make sure everybody has access to these life-saving gadgets. Display this equipment prominently, if possible pair it with your first aid box and fire-fighting equipment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Training:<\/strong> Having these tools around is not any use if you do not have staff trained in setting up AEDs and responding swiftly to sudden cardiac arrest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Issuing training from time\nto time, updating your employees on changes and reminding staff on the\nimportance of these life-rescuing skill sets can ensure you get the most out of\nyour equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You also want to insist on strict adherence to the manufacturer\u2019s guidelines when using AEDs to ensure the best results. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Create an organizational\ncampaign showing the dangers of SCA and insisting on a 3-5 minute response. Use\nall sorts of communication and awareness creators to develop a culture that\ncares about worker safety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n All newbies must be\ninformed about the safety initiative and trained to fit in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lastly, you must ensure regular checkups and maintenance of your devices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Business and Personal Liability: <\/strong>Different US states have\ntheir provisions for the Good Samaritan law, and most feature some\nadditional stipulations for AED users and owners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These laws are meant to\nminimize the indecision in passersby or untrained rescuers who can help an SCA\nvictim but fear rubbing shoulders with the law for trying to assist. That\u2019s why\nit\u2019s important to familiarize with the stipulations of your state. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While, we can\u2019t completely\ndo away with the dangers of trying to rescue a sudden cardiac arrest victim,\nyou can always minimize their occurrence by assessing the risks correctly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember, all automated external\ndefibrillators must feature a prescription to be in compliance with Food &\nDrug Administration rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another way to make your\nprogram more effective is to partner with nearby emergency service providers\nand have them come in to discuss safe use and implementation of AEDs in a workplace<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After assessing\nyour risks, you want to narrow down to the best AEDs to use in your workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But how do you\nchoose when there are lots of vendors out there each claiming to offer the best\nAED deal?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some\nthings to consider when buying AEDs for your staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because you need\ntools to save lives, ease of use is of the essence when it comes to buying\nAEDs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember, your\nstaff will be using these devices for months or years. Picking a tool that is\ncomplicated may compromise the life-saving capabilities of a responder or\nbystander.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If possible, go for\ndevices that offer audio and voice assistance during use to improve\neffectiveness and reduce confusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Look at a device\u2019s\nphysical build to see if the design can pose challenges to a user. Seek reviews\nfrom previous users on the friendliness of a device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Easy to use\nequipment is also easier to familiarize with, which means you will have an easy\ntime training staff on operating new automated external defibrillators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many AEDs fail to\nperform because of malfunctioning cells, pads and electrodes. Because these are\nthe three most problematic parts of an AED, you want to make sure you gather\nfacts about the lifespan and durability of these parts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Compare the quality\nof these three across different vendors to end up with a device that will\nmaintain its effectiveness for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The best service\nproviders sell AEDs with accessory backups or replacements for such vulnerable\nparts and give clear instructions on how and when to change these.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember to inquire\nabout AED rules in your state. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These laws vary\nfrom one state to the next. While some may require strictmedical expert\nprescription and supervision to buy and use an AED, others do not require any\npermission from a physician <\/p>\n\n\n\n The best vendor offer check up and maintenance services. Most of them usually conduct per week or per month scrutiny and maintenance. They come to your premise and inspect the tools for any hitches in functionality from time to time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If they do not\noffer check and maintenance services then they should offer instructions on the\nmain parts or functions to inspect and maintain so that your tool remains\neffective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ask for any\nbattery\/cell backups or pad replacements and how often you should do the\nchanges. Ask about the electrodes, question how long they take to expire and inquire\nif they provide any backups for these as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n AEDs are sensitive\nwhen it comes to maintenance because a life is stake if it malfunctions when it\nis needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because an AED is a\nmedical device that is still under improvement, a vendor that cares about your\nequipment even long after you\u2019ve purchased it can easily update your old AED by\ninstalling new software updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All legitimate AEDs\nhave a Food & Drug Administration approval. Anything that is not approved\nby the FDA may not be safe to use or has not been tested for safety and\nfunctionality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure you are\nbuying from a well known AED provider who adheres to all FDA and state\nstipulations so that you provide your employees with the best equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Compliance is also\nimportant because you don\u2019t want to take liability in a court of law for\npartnering with an illegal dealer and endangering or contributing to the death\nof a SCA victim whom would have otherwise been rescued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because cardiac arrests\noccur without a warning, it is best if such scenarios find us ready to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Being ready means you know\nwhat to do and all your equipment, such as an AED gadget, is good to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But machines and equipment\nneed maintenance. Only that way can you be sure they will not fail you when you\nneed them most.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAEDs and How to Use One<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Workstations that Need AEDs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Assessing AED Risks: Everything You Should Know<\/h2><\/p>\n\n\n\n
What to Consider When Buying AEDs<\/h2><\/p>\n\n\n\n
User-friendliness<\/h2>\n
Battery, Pad and Electrode life<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
State AED Laws. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Check-up and Maintenance. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Compliance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Why AED Maintenanceis a Must-do<\/h2>\n\n\n\n