Automated External Defibrillators

Purpose

The purpose of this procedure is to provide guidance for the proper management of AEDs on campus.

Scope and Applicability

This shall apply to all places of employment on the UTK campus where students, staff, and faculty are present. This program applies to the acquisition, distribution, use, training, and maintenance of AEDs. Note that all AEDs on campus are owned by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Abbreviations and Definitions

Abbreviations

AED – Automated External Defibrillator

CAB – Chest Compressions, Airway, Breathing

CPR – Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

EHS – campus Environmental Health and Safety

EMS – Emergency Medical Services

Roles and Responsibilities

Program Manager: Geoff Woolard

Office: 865-974-5084
e-mail: gwoolard@utk.edu

Mailing address (Program Manager and Alternate)

Environmental Health and Safety
1425 Tee Martin Drive
414 East Stadium Hall
Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-3503

Medical Director: Dr. Spencer Gregg, UT Student Health

Phone: 865 974-5222
Email:  drgregg@utk.edu
Student Health Center

EHS shall:

• Determine which buildings on campus need an AED
• Notify department heads of buildings of the need to have an AED

• Serve as a technical resource for questions and comments for the AED program and periodically review compliance with this program.

• Post the most recent edition of this plan on the EHS website.
• Review and revise this written plan periodically and upon notice of the need for changes.
• Maintain a database of where AEDs are housed on campus. Locations are noted on the following map: https://maps.utk.edu/?id=314#!ce/31775

• Notify department heads of any changes or important information (e.g. product recalls), related to AEDs.
• Maintain AEDs that belong to EHS

• Inspect AEDs of selected units.
• Maintain records as required.
• Submit copies of this plan to outside first responders (Rural Metro) and the medical director

• Submit copies of Appendix A (Automated External Defibrillator Use Report) to the medical director, following the use of an AED.
• Conduct periodic program audits. See Appendix E
• Develop an annual AED report

• Purchase AEDs and register AED to maintain consistency

• Schedule and advertise CPR/AED classes on campus periodically
• Maintain a contract for CPR/AED instruction
• Coordinate installation of AEDs with department designees and Facilities
• Services

• Provide a spare (temporary replacement) for AEDs that are taken out of service following a loss, use, etc. when possible

Department Heads or Designee

1. Notify staff members of the location of the nearest AED. This may be done by any of the following:
   1. E-mail
   2. Posting on bulletin boards
   3. Staff meeting
   4. Other means based on the department’s communication plan
2. Ensure that department-owned AEDs are inspected, tested, and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s specification
3. Ensure staff who are likely to use an AED are adequately trained, including periodic refresher programs.
4. Maintain records as necessary. See section 5.0 below.
5. Register AEDS online
6. Perform an annual audit using Appendix E
7. Notify EHS as soon as possible when an AED has been used

Medical Director:

1. The medical director shall supervise and endorse the placement of AEDs
2. Review Appendix A submitted from EHS following the use of an AED on campus.

Procedures

Purchasing an AED

AEDs that are purchased shall meet the requirements of Tennessee Codes Annotate (TCA 1200-12-1.-19(5) and the American Heart Association guidelines.   Models that are purchased shall be consistent with other units on campus.   This reference can be found at the bottom of Appendix C in this document. EHS must be contacted prior to purchase unless the department has an existing AED.

Distribution and Location

Structures that are connected (e.g. the Student Services and the Communications) may be considered a single building.  EHS will approve the location of AEDs in buildings on campus in coordination with the medical director In addition; consideration should be given to the potential for a cardiac arrest based on several factors such as occupant age, health, and the type of activity being performed. The total occupant load of the building may also be considered when purchasing an AED.

The AED should be located in a central place, near a phone in order to call 911 and that is accessible during times when the building is occupied. Trained personnel who use mobile AEDs shall have a cell phone with them while the AED is in the field. Consideration should be given to placing the AED where it:

• Won’t be subject to physical damage, theft, temperature or humidity extremes
• Is readily visible and available for use. Note that signs may be used to identify the device’s location where necessary.

University Police have purchased AEDs, which are kept in their squad cars. A list of AEDs on campus and their location is maintained by the AED program manager. Locations can be viewed within the UTK website map.

Training and Information

It is suggested that department heads notify employees in their building, at least annually, of where the nearest AED is located.

All employees should be familiar with emergency procedures, which include medical emergencies.

It is recommended that Department heads have a sufficient number of employees trained in CPR/AED if their building contains an AED. Trained personnel will be present when the building is open. Refresher training and record-keeping are mandatory. Departments shall be responsible for keeping a list of individuals who have been trained. Training results must be forwarded to the Office of Employee and Organizational Development using appropriate forms and to the AED program manager

CPR and AED courses are available locally through the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, or other programs recognized by the Tennessee Emergency Medical Services Board. Note that Appendix B, section 6, provides a list of other approved training courses. Environmental Health and Safety maintains a contract for CPR/AED training.

Use

When an unconscious victim is discovered, the following protocol will be followed:

Responder

Check the scene to make sure it is safe (e.g. no electrical hazards or chemical hazards) Shake and shout at the victim. If no response;

Have someone call 911. If no one is available, call 911 and return immediately to the victim.

Have someone retrieve the AED. Begin the CABs or CPR.

Utilize AED if necessary and the instructions/training provided

Police Dispatcher

Immediately dispatch an officer and call for an ambulance. The ambulance should be summoned right away.  (DO NOT wait for the responding officer to arrive and authorize).

Upon the arrival of the responding officer, obtain as much pertinent information as possible and communicate to EMS.

Once EMS is on the scene they are in charge of further rescue efforts for the victim.

Notification

Following any event involving the use of an AED, the responder must complete the AED Use Report (See Appendix A) and send it to EHS by one of the following means:

Mail:

Environmental Health and Safety
1425 Tee Martin Drive
414 East Stadium Hall
Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-3503

Fax: to 865-974-0094 or

e-mail: safety@utk.edu

EHS shall forward a copy of the AED Use Report to the medical director for review.

Campus police must then notify EHS to ensure that supplies are restocked.

Maintenance, Repair, and Removal from Service

Departments that have purchased an AED shall maintain the device in accordance with the manufacturer’s specification. AEDs should be checked at least monthly to ensure it is available for use. All repairs shall be made by a factory authorized representative.

Spent batteries should be managed in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidance.  If there are no recommendations with respect to battery disposal, contact EHS at 974-5084.

The manufacturer’s standards must be followed after the use of an AED. A record shall be kept of all repairs and maintenance of the device.

Departments shall schedule AED maintenance to the extent feasible so as to minimize downtime. EHS shall be notified immediately when an AED is removed from service, found to be missing, or inoperative. Efforts shall be made to provide a replacement unit as soon as possible.  A sign shall be placed on the AED’s case or cabinet when it is removed from service. The sign shall indicate that the AED is out of service and the location of the nearest unit.

Coordination with Emergency Responders

A copy of this written document will be given to the EMS provider for the Knox County/City of Knoxville for their use, comments, and coordination. Revisions shall be submitted by EHS to appropriate off-site responders.

Program Review

Each department shall conduct an annual review of its AED program using the Annual Departmental AED Review Checklist found in Appendix E. The AED program manager shall collect the departmental reviews and including with the comprehensive review. Results shall be provided to the Safety Committee and others as deemed necessary.

Recordkeeping

The following records must be maintained

1. Periodic maintenance, repair, and inspection records
2. Record of employee training
3. Other records as defined by the equipment manufacturer
4. Record of Use (Appendix A)
5. Record of transmittal to responding EMS agency and their approval of the plan, placement, and program
6. Physician approval of installation location

The records shall be maintained for at least 10 years. In the event of an accident or failure of the AED, where litigation could occur, the record shall be kept for a longer period of time. Records 1, 2, and 3 from this section shall be kept by the department that owns the AED. Records 4 and 5 shall be maintained by EHS.

References

Tennessee Codes Annotated (TCA) 63-6-218

Tennessee Codes Annotated (TCA) 68-140 section 701 through 709 Tennessee Codes Annotated (TCA)  1200-12-010-.19

 

Disclaimer

The information provided in these guidelines is designed for educational use only and is not a substitute for specific training or experience.

The University of Tennessee Knoxville and the authors of these guidelines assume no liability for any individual’s use of or reliance upon any material contained or referenced herein. The material contained in these guidelines may not be the most current.

This material may be freely distributed for nonprofit educational use. However, if included in publications, written or electronic, attributions must be made to the author. Commercial use of this material is prohibited without express written permission from the author.