AED Program Policies and Procedures
AED Program Policies and Procedures
AED Program Policies and Procedures
The following document describes the policies and procedures to be used in governing an
early defibrillation program. It is the goal of this program to provide a rapid response to
sudden cardiac arrest for employees and guests. It is the intent of this document to give the
early defibrillation response team members general guidance in response to an incident of
sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). The document is not intended to cover all circumstances
involved in such emergencies. All early defibrillation response team members must operate
within the parameters of this early defibrillation program
1. Scope
This document describes the policies and procedures relating to an early
defibrillation program utilizing employees who serve as trained responders in
CPR and defibrillation therapy in the event of a medical emergency.
2. Purpose
The purpose of this document is to establish a consistent guideline for
application, location, maintenance, and various other components described
herein involving the early defibrillation program. It is the goal to provide the
appropriate defibrillator coverage with a response time of three (3) minutes
from time of incident to first shock to increase the likelihood of survival in
the event of SCA. This workbook is intended to serve as a guide and checklist
for the basic elements of implementing an early defibrillation program.
3. Definitions
Early Defibrillation Response Team Member. An individual who is
trained in AED use to respond to SCA medical emergencies and may also
be a member of the Emergency Response Team.
6. Defibrillator Equipment
See Appendix B for the Defibrillator Location and Equipment Sheet.
6.1 Description. The equipment provided in support of the early defibrillation
program is to be used in the event of an SCA. This equipment shall not be
used outside the parameters of the AED program except as approved by the
Early Defibrillation Program Coordinator and Site Coordinators. Each device
will be maintained according to manufacturer’s guidelines.
6.2 Accessories. All accessory equipment must remain with the defibrillator and
must be inspected on a regular basis for readiness for use and integrity of the
device.
7. Defibrillator Maintenance
See Appendix C for the Periodic Maintenance Checklist.
7.1 Reports of Damage. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for all
scheduled defibrillator maintenance checks. Report any performance
discrepancies, device defects, or missing, expired, and/or damaged
accessories to the Early Defibrillation Program Coordinator immediately.
7.2 Calibration. The defibrillator requires no calibration or verification of energy
delivery. The defibrillator has no user-serviceable parts. The defibrillator
performs regular self-tests to assure that it is ready for use. While the
maintenance required for the defibrillator is minimal, it is important that a
regular check of the defibrillator be performed to assure readiness, as
described in the defibrillator Instructions for Use.
7.3 Suggested Maintenance Schedule. Refer to the suggested maintenance
schedule in the defibrillator Instructions for Use, which also provides detailed
instructions for responding to each maintenance task.
7.4 Cleaning. When necessary, clean the defibrillator using recommended
cleaning agents, per the defibrillator Instructions for Use.
9. Protocol Guidelines
See Appendix D for the Early Defibrillation Response Protocol and Flow Chart.
9.1 Defibrillator Application Guidelines. Once the defibrillator is turned on and
the pads applied to the patient, the ERT or Early Defibrillation Response
Team member shall not remove the pads or turn off the device unless
prompted by the device itself or directed by a higher medical authority. In all
cases, the Team member shall continue to assess the patient’s airway,
breathing, and circulation and provide CPR as indicated.
9.2 AED Application Criteria. The defibrillator shall be applied only to patients
who are unresponsive and not breathing.
9.3 Defibrillation Procedure. Defibrillation shocks are to be delivered only in
accordance with the early defibrillation response protocol. If the device
advises no shocks, the ERT or Early Defibrillation Response Team responder
follows the approved protocols for patient care and CPR.
9.4 Wet Environments and Metal Surfaces. The defibrillator can be used in
fresh and saltwater environments and on metal surfaces that are wet or dry.
Always follow all defibrillator recommended safety precautions.
9.5 Excessive Chest Hair. If required for proper defibrillation pad adhesion, any
excess hair on the patient’s chest is shaved with a prep razor supplied in the
accessory kit. A smooth shave is not required.
9.6 Medication Patches. Using a gloved hand, remove any medication patches,
if present, from the patient’s chest prior to pad placement and wipe the skin
clean with a cloth.
9.7 Implantable Pacemakers and Defibrillators. If the patient has an
implantable pacemaker or internal defibrillator, do not place the
defibrillation pads directly over the implanted device. If the presence of an
implanted device affects pad placement, place the defibrillation pad as close
to the recommended pad placement as possible.
9.8 AED Abuse or Vandalism. No abuse or vandalism of the defibrillator is to be
tolerated. If abuse or vandalism is suspected, it is to be reported to the Early
Defibrillation Program Coordinator immediately so that the defibrillator can
be evaluated for proper operation.
11.1 EMS Arrival. Upon arrival of EMS, transfer patient care to the EMS team. If
requested by EMS, assist in patient care; otherwise, initiate post-incident
procedures (see section 13).
11.2 Oral Report. Give the EMS agency a complete oral report of the event and
any significant findings. Unless requested to remain at the scene to assist,
complete the Early Defibrillation Incident Report.
11.3 Early Defibrillation Incident Report. The Early Defibrillation Incident Report
may be copied and given to the EMS agency as part of the patient care
document, either while EMS is on-scene or after the ambulance has left with
the patient. If the report is to be given later, it is the responsibility of the
Early Defibrillation Program Coordinator to oversee this data transfer and
delegate responsibility if necessary.
The following appendices are provided in a format suitable for copying and posting
as appropriate:
A. Early Defibrillation Response Team Roster
B. Defibrillator Location and Equipment Sheet
C. Periodic Maintenance Checklist
D. Early Defibrillation Response Protocol and Flow Chart
E. Defibrillation Incident Report
F. Post-Incident Critique Form
APPENDIX A
Early Defibrillation response Team Roster
(Complete for each site.)
AED COORDINATOR
NAME
PHONE #
LOCATION
Team Members
NAME NAME
PHONE # PHONE #
LOCATION LOCATION
NAME NAME
PHONE # PHONE #
LOCATION LOCATION
NAME NAME
PHONE # PHONE #
LOCATION LOCATION
NAME NAME
PHONE # PHONE #
LOCATION LOCATION
NAME NAME
PHONE # PHONE #
LOCATION LOCATION
NAME NAME
PHONE # PHONE #
LOCATION LOCATION
NAME NAME
PHONE # PHONE #
LOCATION LOCATION
NAME NAME
PHONE # PHONE #
LOCATION LOCATION
APPENDIX B
Defibrillator Location and Equipment Sheet
DEFIBRILLATOR LOCATION:
DATE
SCHEDULED FREQUENCY
DEFIBRILLATOR CONDITION
NO DIRT/DAMAGE/CONTAMINATION
STATUS INDICATOR
SELF-TEST PASSED.
OTHER:___________________
INSPECTED BY (INITIALS)
REMARKS, PROBLEMS,
CORRECTIVE ACTIONS
APPENDIX D
Early Defibrillation Response Protocol and Flow Chart
Early Defibrillation Response Protocol
The following early defibrillation response protocol is provided as a sample. It is required that
your facility’s trained responders follow the steps established by that protocol when responding
to a victim of sudden cardiac arrest. The protocol should be reviewed on an annual basis, and
revisions to the protocol made as necessary.
Assess breathing
Open airway
Look, listen and feel for breathing
If breathing is absent, deliver two rescue breaths
Assess circulation
If signs of circulation are absent, provide CPR. Continue CPR until defibrillator arrives.
Post-Use Procedure
Take the defibrillator and the Defibrillation Incident Report to the Early Defibrillation
Program Coordinator within 24 hours post-event for downloading data from internal
memory.
Check the defibrillator and replace any used supplies as soon as possible following the event
so that the defibrillator may be returned to service. Perform the after-patient-use
maintenance on the defibrillator.
Early Defibrillation Program Coordinator: conduct employee incident debriefing, as needed.
Early Defibrillation Program Coordinator: complete the incident follow-up report and
forward to Medical Director.
Assess responsiveness
• Activate EMS and in-house Emergency
Response Plan
• Open airway and assess breathing
• Absent? Deliver two (2) rescue breaths
• Assess for signs of circulation
• Absent? Proceed to CPR/defibrillation
Allow defibrillator to
analyze heart
rhythm (automatic)
Patient Detail
Last Name:_______________________ First Name:___________ MI:___
DOB:____________________________ Age:_______________________
Gender:_________________________ Race:_______________________
Patient ID:___________________________________________________
Additional Information
Defibrillator Operator:_________________________________________
Comments:__________________________________________________
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