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Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)
Contents:
About AEDs
What are AEDs?
Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are a type of medical device
that can be used to shock persons in certain types of cardiac arrest
and restore normal heart rhythm. The State of California regulates AED
use, and requires that policies and procedures be put in place to ensure
the effectiveness and availability of AEDs.
AED Availability for Emergency Response on Campus
The Cardiac Arrest Survival Act of 2000 and American Heart Association
(AHA) recommend that AEDs be placed in targeted public areas (such as
emergency first responder vehicles, sports arenas and health care facilities).
AED's are readily available for 911 emergency response via ambulances
and Fire Department paramedics in the City of Berkeley and on the hill
near Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). UC Berkeley currently
meets these recommendations with AEDs available in several campus locations:
- Emergency Response Vehicles: UC Berkeley Police have an AED available
in patrol cars.
- Health care settings (such as the Tang Center, athletic training
quarters at Memorial Stadium and Haas Pavilion)
- Large-scale public events (such as Football Games) staffed by trained
City of Berkeley paramedics
- Campus Recreation Centers (such as Recreational Sports Facility
and Strawberry Canyon).
Current Guidelines and Recommendations for Safety and AEDs at UC
Berkeley
In 2003, University Health Services convened an AED Advisory Group
to develop, assess and review guidelines regarding AED use at UC Berkeley.
The Advisory Group conferred with the UC System-wide Occupational and
Environmental Health Advisory Committee and reviewed available California
regulations.
The Advisory Group developed the following recommendations:
- Maintain AED availability within existing emergency response structure,
systems, and procedures (such as UC Police as emergency first responders).
In the event of a cardiac arrest, call 911 from a campus phone or
(510) 642-3333 from a cell phone.
- Maintain current level of AED distribution in health care settings
and public venues (see above).
- Encourage campus departments, labs, buildings, centers, shops, and
work groups to update applicable safety training and response procedures
including, but not limited to, ongoing training in CPR and activation
of the emergency response system by calling 911 from a campus phone
or (510) 642-3333 from a cell phone.
More widespread placement of fixed AEDs was not recommended at this
time because:
- Rapid AED availability is assured via Fire Department paramedics
and ambulance emergency responders.
- University of California, Berkeley Police have a less than 5 minute
response time for any location on campus.
- University of California, Berkeley Police have written, as required,
Policies and Procedures that encompass training in CPR and use of
AEDs, maintenance and quality assurance for the devices, and responsibilities
for the administration of the program.
The AED Advisory Group agrees to periodically assess the needs of the
campus, current standards and regulations, and feasibility for the expansion
of the numbers of AEDs on campus.
Summary of California AED Use and Training Regulations
- Only "authorized individuals" may operate an AED. Authorized
individuals include emergency medical care personnel (such as paramedics)
and individuals who meet California CPR and AED training requirements
(such as trained health care professionals and the campus police).
- AED training must meet American Heart Association or American Red
Cross standards and include: 1) the importance of activating the Emergency
Response System (Call 911), adequate airway care, CPR, defibrillation,
and advanced life support; 2) proper use, maintenance, and periodic
inspection of the AED; and 3) written and skill examination.
- Locations of all AEDs must be reported to the local Emergency Medical
Services (EMS) agency
- AEDs must be checked for readiness after each use and at least once
every 30 days if not used
- Anyone who renders emergency care or treatment on a person in cardiac
arrest by using an AED must call 911 as soon as possible
- Any use of the AED must be reported to the local EMS agency
- A Program must be in place to ensure continued AED training
- California's complete training regulations can be found on the Emergency
Medical Services Authority website at http://www.emsa.cahwnet.gov/legislation/regs1.8.asp
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Related services at the Tang Center
For All Members of the Campus Community:
For questions about AEDs at UC Berkeley, contact Diane Liu, M.D., M.P.H.,
UHS Occupational Health Physician at (510) 642-6891.
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Additional Resources
CPR/AED Training
- UC Berkeley Recreational Sports CPR/AED and First Aid classes
http://calbears.berkeley.edu/
Recreational Sports offers a wide range of First Aid and CPR courses
for Adult, Child, Infant and AED scheduled regularly on weekend dates.
Current schedules are listed on the website under fitness. Classes
are also available by request for campus departments (minimum of 6
and maximum of 12 participants). Call (510) 643-5151 for pricing and
additional information.
- American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter CPR and AED Training
http://www.bayarea-redcross.org/train/train.htm
The American Red Cross offers a variety of health and safety courses,
such as, Adult CPR/AED and Standard First Aid & AED. Group training
is also available for groups of 8 or more. Classes taught in English,
Spanish, and Chinese.
AED Information
Disclaimer: The information provided here is not intended to diagnose,
treat or provide a second opinion on any health problem or disease.
It is meant to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between
an individual and his/her clinician.
Last revised: December, 2006
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