Ensuring Lifesaving Precision

The Importance of Professional Management for Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)

Since April of 2023 till today , AED SERVICE AMERICA has had 11 lives saved from sudden cardiac arrest and 11 family spared from the devastating effects of losing a loved one.

Eleven people will spend the Thanksgiving holiday with family.

Those saves were in Saginaw Michigan, Moab Utah, Corpus Christi Texas, and New Orleans Louisiana. Every AED deployed worked exactly as it should have.

I know what you may be thinking. Don’t they always work?

The answer is NO!

The reason why AEDs fail at the point of rescue is most often because of improper maintenance and management of the AED and not the manufacturing.

Consider each of the locations mentioned above. When we accepted each as clients , 40% of their AEDs would have failed at the point of rescue because of improper AED maintenance.

The reason why AED failure is so high quite simply is because of one of two reasons.

1.     AED owners don't make the time to inspect each AED in their deployment often because of the mindset; "We've never had to use it before"

2.     AED owners may not know what to do to properly manage and maintain their AED deployment beyond checking for pad and battery expiration dates.  While pad and battery inspection is critical, it does not come close to doing what is required for proper AED maintenance and management.

 In the realm of emergency medical response, Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) stand as crucial devices capable of saving lives during sudden cardiac arrests. However, the effectiveness of these lifesaving tools relies not only on their presence but also on meticulous professional management. Here are key reasons why AEDs should be under the vigilant oversight of trained professionals:

1. Immediate Accessibility:

• Professionals ensure AEDs are strategically located in high-traffic areas, maximizing accessibility during emergencies.
• AED SERVICE AMERICA will assist you with strategic AED placement following the recommendations and guideline set forth by the AHA.
• Swift access reduces response times, increasing the chances of survival for individuals experiencing cardiac events.

2. Regular Maintenance and Testing:

• Professional management guarantees routine checks, ensuring AEDs are in optimal working condition.
• Regular testing includes battery checks, electrode pad expiration monitoring, and software updates, preventing equipment malfunctions when needed the most. More importantly, when possible and AED must have the internal operating system inspected by “plugging a computer” into the AED and to look at the IOS.
• AED SERVICE AMERICA plugs into the AED to interrogate the internal operating system for the simple fact that while 47% of device failures can be alleviated by pad and battery inspection, that still leaves 53% of device failures that can only be determined by device interrogation.

3. Employee Training and Awareness:

• Trained professionals educate staff on the proper use of AEDs, fostering a workplace culture where employees are confident and competent in responding to cardiac emergencies.
• Increased awareness contributes to a faster and more effective response, potentially saving valuable seconds in critical situations.
• At AED SERVICE AMERICA we offer “free” Zoom training sessions on how to use their specific model and not a generic trainer.

4. Compliance with Regulations:

• Professionals navigate and ensure compliance with local regulations, guaranteeing that AEDs meet legal standards for safety and functionality.
• Adhering to guidelines and protocols minimizes legal risks and liabilities for businesses and organizations.
• AED SERVICE AMERICA will register your AED with the governing authority for you state and will submit all the necessary paperwork to that authority  should your device be deployed.

5. Data Monitoring and Analysis:

• Trained personnel monitor AED data, tracking usage and outcomes for continuous improvement.
• Analyzing data allows for adjustments in response protocols, enhancing overall emergency preparedness and efficacy.
• AED SERVICE AMERICA will help your company develop a response protocol that complies with all federal laws as well as the guidelines for your state.

In conclusion, professional management of AEDs is paramount for optimizing their potential in saving lives. The combination of accessibility, maintenance, education, compliance, and data analysis ensures that AEDs are not just present but are efficient and reliable allies in the critical moments of cardiac emergencies.

 At AED SERVICE AMERICA our pledge is to deliver meticulous verification of work performed on AEDs as it is not just a recommended practice but a critical necessity. By ensuring reliability, compliance, effective performance, increased equipment longevity, user confidence, and proper documentation, we can maximize the life-saving potential of these essential devices.

If you would like more information on how AED SERVICE AMERICA can help you protect those you serve by delivering complaint, onsite AED maintenance and management in all 50 States across every major brand of AEDs, please message me at dc@AEDserviceAmerica.com

Doug Comstock

www.AEDserviceAmerica.com

dc@AEDserviceAmerica.com