The Accurate Placement and Management of AEDs in a Medical Facility

The procedures for the placement and management of automated external defibrillators are clearly defined in an automated external defibrillator (AED) plan. In addition to delivering an electrical shock, an automated external defibrillator helps to analyze the rhythm of the heart and recognize an abnormal rhythm. An AED should only be used when a person is unconscious and not breathing. Also, in case of a sudden cardiac arrest, using an AED in combination with a Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is mandatory. Not using the defibrillator on people less than 8 years of age or weighing less than 55 pounds without pediatric pads is another rule to follow.

To ensure the accurate placement and management of AEDs in a medical facility, the automated external defibrillator (AED) plan advises hospitals and other medical facilities to perform certain tasks including:

  • Designating an AED coordinator
  • Properly installing and maintaining AEDs
  • Training staff to use AED
  • Maintaining AED maintenance and testing records
  • Developing a site specific medical emergency plan

Once an AED coordinator is designated, he or she will be responsible for supervising the placement and maintenance of the automated external defibrillator. Additionally, the coordinator will be responsible for identifying trained or authorized users, supplying all AED information to the hospital, developing a site-specific medical emergency plan, managing day-to-day operations related to AED, and placing the external defibrillator back in service after use.

The Medical Emergency plan

Any department or manager in the hospital who buys an AED will be responsible for creating a site-specific medical emergency plan. At a minimum, the medical emergency plan should include:

  • Contact information of the people in the facility including that of trained AED users
  • How to use an AED
  • Response plan for a medical emergency
  • A copy of the training and maintenance guidelines provided by the manufacturer
  • Contact information of the coordinator and (if applicable) name of the resource hospital
  • If applicable, a statement shows the registration of the AED with the resource hospital

You need to update the AED plan if the facility is closed for more than 45 days, the AED does not operate for 45 days, or there is a shortage of trained AED users for the same amount of time.

In addition to the rules for the accurate placement and management of the automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in a medical facility, there are rules for using an AED in a medical facility. The rules for using AEDs in a medical facility include:

  • Ensuring the victim, bystanders, and you are safe
  • Applying AED as soon as a patient stops breathing
  • Using CPR with the AED according to the specified guidelines
  • Switching on the AED and attaching the electrode pads immediately after the AED is available for use
  • Ensuring nobody touches the patient when the AED indicates the shock
  • Resume CPR if no shock is indicated

 

There you have it—how to accurately place and manage AEDs in a medical facility. By using the aforementioned, you will be able to use AED in the right way in addition to accurately placing and managing it.