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Help convincing manager that we need an AED

whitetara
0 Recommendations

Hello all,

I am a first responder at a somewhat remote dharma center in the Rockies. EMS response time here varies from 20-30 minutes and the nearest medical center is an hour away. We have anywhere from 50-500 visitors and guests daily and I am trying to convince our director to agree to having an AED onsite. He is worried about liabilty issues and I have made it my job to convince him that the potential benefits of having an AED would outweigh the potential liability . So if anyone could point me in the direction of more information regarding these issues I would be grateful.

cheers,
whitetara

Explore topics in this discussion:

Sudden cardiac arrest

4 replies

Steve_Johnston

I assume you are in Colorado? If so the link to Colorado's Good Samaritan Act is:

http://home.mesastate.edu/~jerry/gmnc/Colorado%20Good%20Samaritan%20La w.htm

I also like to point out the OSHA Advisory on this topic. There is a lot of information at:

http://198.17.175.68/SLTC/aed/standards.html

I have a more concise copy of the actual advisory I can send to you if you like. I don't think I can attach files to this message.

While OSHA primarily applies to employers, I think if OSHA suggests that AEDs are good things that is a strong indicator of where the liability is actually going. I also assume that the facility does have employees to protect as well as guests. I suggest that the liability to the center would be much greater if management sticks their heads in the sand (or snow).

We've shocked over 230 patients. Our witnessed-VF survival rate is headed for 52%. But we've still lost a lot of people. If liability was a big deal, we would have found it by now.

I'd be happy to talk with you directly if you like. The manager can call me as well.

Steve Johnston
sjohnston@ci.rochester.mn.us
(507) 285-8261
www.policedefib.com

pdminc

The golden rule is the best. It could be your manager who will need the AED. Here are some things to consider.

1. About 400,000 people die in the US each year from SCA. While it is not easy to picture 400,000 people, imagine they are buried head to foot in a trench grave. This grave would extend about 400 miles. Paint a picture driving from your city to one 400 miles away. Most people will go wow.
2. According to the AHA half of these people would survive if treated with a defibrillator within 3 minutes. These 200,000 people would fill your local football stadium x times every year. Ask him how close is his defibrillator.

Most law suites are filed for not having a defibrillator available quickly. Where you have someone under your care, like a hotel, plane, train you may have a duty to provide the prevailing standard of care. This is ever changing, but with states requiring them in nursing homes, schools, health clubs, sporting events and the fact that nearly all of the largest companies have implemented AED programs the direction is clearly in having an AED.

EugeneJohnson

I would like to add a thought about the liability issue having an AED on site.
Because of the widespread knowledge that an AED saves lives with a defibrillating shock to a ventricular fibrillating heart, the greater liability may just be in NOT having one on the remote site that is visited by many tourists year round.

If a tourist is struck down with a sudden cardiac arrest , then dies because no AED was available after attempts have been made in the past to obtain one, the managers and or owners of that site just might be held liable for NOT placing this low cost-computerized-life saving device nearby!
That is something to think about in an age where most states have the "Good Samaritan" Laws protecting any individual using this device in a "reasonable" attempt to save a life.
No individual in the USA has ever been held liable to date for trying to bring someone back to life using this device!

JoeNovello

First, I want to commend your efforts; recognizing the need for AEDs (especially under your circumstances) is the first, and perhaps the most important step. Your situation is, unfortunately, not unique. We hear from people every day who admit that it is very difficult to convince their managers (or, she/he who holds the purse strings), of the importance of high-quality training and a strong AED Program. Our team would be happy to arm you with the information that you need to create a solid argument for creating an AED program at your location. Please feel free to give us a call (866-364-7940) or send us an email (info@MasterCPR.com) and we will provide you with all the informative materials that you might need. Again, great work—your efforts could certainly make a huge difference to one of your staff or patrons!

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