Automated External Defibrillators

With recent advances in technology, automated external defibrillators
(AEDs) are now widely available, safe, effective, portable, and
easy to use. They provide the critical and necessary treatment for
sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) caused by ventricular fibrillation, the
uncoordinated beating of the heart leading to collapse and death.
Using AEDs as soon as possible after sudden cardiac arrest, within
3-4 minutes, can lead to a 60% survival rate.3 CPR is of value
because it supports the circulation and ventilation of the victim
until an electric shock delivered by an AED can restore the fibrillating
heart to normal.
All worksites are potential candidates for AED programs
because of the possibility of SCA and the need for timely defibrillation.
Each workplace should assess its own requirements for an
AED program as part of its first-aid response.
A number of issues should be considered in setting up a
worksite AED program: physician oversight; compliance with local,
state and federal regulations; coordination with local EMS; a
quality assurance program; and a periodic review, among others.
The OSHA website at www.osha.gov or the websites of the
American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at
www.acoem.org, the American Heart Association at www.americanheart.
org, the American Red Cross at www.redcross.org,
Federal Occupational Health at www.foh.dhhs.gov, and the
National Center for Early Defibrillation at www.early-defib.org can
provide additional information about AED program development.
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