Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Program

Heart disease is a significant health problem that, according to the American Heart Association, affects nearly 8 percent of all Americans and results in nearly 350,000 deaths each year. While several electrical abnormalities can result in sudden cardiac arrest, the majority begin with ventricular fibrillation. Rapid treatment of ventricular fibrillation, through the application of a controlled electrical shock, is essential to the victim’s survival.

Purpose

The University AED Program was established to meet appropriate portions of ACOEM’s Guidelines for the Use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in Workplace Setting and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Guidelines for Public Access Defibrillation Programs in Federal Facilities, and satisfies New Jersey state laws pertaining to AED acquisition and use.

Criteria for Placement of AEDs and Supplies

The ACOEM recommends placement, when practical, of AEDs in sufficient workplace locations to allow initiation of resuscitation and use of the AED (the so-called “drop to shock” interval) within 5 minutes of recognized cardiac arrest. AED units have been placed in Public Safety vehicles, certain athletic facilities, and other approved locations.

Written requests for AED units must be submitted for approval to Janet Neglia, M.D., University AED Program Medical Advisor, who will consider such requests in consultation with the Director of Risk Management, the Director of Environmental Health and Safety, and the University AED Program Administrator. Placement of AEDs and supplies will be considered by utilizing, in part, the following criteria:

• Departments or other functional areas that are staffed with trained and certified first responders.
• Locations considered to present a higher than normal risk for occupants to suffer sudden cardiac arrest, such as athletic facilities.
• Wherever mandated by regulatory requirements.

Outdoor Action offers a range of CPR courses for students, faculty and staff.  University Departments and Offices  interested in scheduling courses should contact the Outdoor Action office at 258-6230

To learn more contact Greg Cantrell, University AED Program Administrator.