Arlington Fire Department

Objectives Sudden Cardiac Arrest Automated External Defibrillator The Impacts of Sudden Cardiac Arrest The Chain of Survival

Sudden Cardiac Arrest occurs when the heart stops beating abruptly. The victim is unconscious and has no pulse. The victim will not be breathing or may appear to be “gasping” for air. The most common cause of Sudden Cardiac Arrest is an abnormal lethal heart rhythm called Ventricular Fibrillation. What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?

What is the Solution? The ONLY known solution for Ventricular Fibrillation is... EARLY DEFIBRILLATION BY ELECTRICAL SHOCK For every minute that a victim remains in Ventricular Fibrillation, survivability is reduced by 10 percent.

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) which allow trained rescuers and individuals to successfully deliver defibrillation prior to the arrival of EMS personnel. AEDs interpret the heart rhythm, determine if shock is required, and if necessary, will prompt the rescuer to deliver a shock. AEDs are a safe, effective, easy to use, and require limited maintenance. What are AEDs?

An AED will only defibrillate when it recognizes a lethal rhythm. All AEDs use embedded computer chips to analyze heart rhythms instantly and accurately. How Does an AED Work?

Where Do Most Sudden Cardiac Arrests Occur? Followed by: Airports Amusement Parks Churches Event Centers Health Fitness Facilities Malls Work Sites AT HOME

350,000 people die each year from sudden cardiac arrest nationwide 980 per day One death every 90 seconds The Impact of Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Be a Strong Link in the Chain of Survival The Chain of Survival

Early 911 access is crucial to get advanced medical care to the victim as soon as possible. The City’s dispatch system will show all registered AED locations. This allows 911 operators to remind the caller to get the AED when it is needed. Early Access

Early CPR CPR is the critical link that buys time between calling 911 and early defibrillation. The earlier CPR is started the greater the chance of survival. CPR keeps oxygenated blood flowing to the brain and heart until defibrillation or other advanced care can restore normal heart function. Highly trained 911 operators can provide easy to follow CPR instructions to the caller while emergency responders are enroute.

Early Defibrillation For every minute that passes while a victim is in cardiac arrest, the survival rate is decreased by 10%. Having an accessible AED and a trained staff to deliver defibrillation can greatly increase a victims chance of survival.

Early Defibrillation The City of Arlington has placed AEDs in: 24 Fire Department Emergency Vehicles 12 Police Department Patrol Vehicles 44 City Facilities Many community partners including The Parks Mall, General Motors Corp, Six Flags Over Texas, and The University of Texas at Arlington have placed AEDs in their facilities.

Early Advanced Care The Arlington EMS System provides advanced airway management, defibrillation, and cardiac drug administration. These advanced actions allow the heart in ventricular fibrillation to successfully resume normal rhythm and functions.

Arlington Emergency Medical System The Fire Department is the first to arrive in most medical emergencies and provides advanced airway management, early defibrillation, drug administration, and CPR in a Cardiac Arrest victim.

Arlington Emergency Medical System American Medical Response is the contracted ambulance service who provides advance level emergency care and transportation.

§ LIABILITY FOR EMERGENCY CARE. (a) A person who in good faith administers emergency care, including using an automated external defibrillator, is not liable in civil damages for an act performed during the emergency unless the act is willfully or wantonly negligent. What About Liability? The use of an AED is Covered by Law: Good Samaritan Law Civil Practice & Remedies Code Chapter 74

The use of an AED is also covered by: Health & Safety Code Chapter 779 Automated External Defibrillators § LIABILITY EXEMPTION. The prescribing physician who authorizes the acquisition of an automated external defibrillator in accordance with this chapter, a person or entity that provides approved training in the use of an automated external defibrillator in accordance with this chapter, and the person or entity that acquires the automated external defibrillator and meets the requirements of this chapter are not liable for civil damages for such prescription, training, or acquisition unless the conduct is willfully or wantonly negligent. Any person or entity that acquires an automated external defibrillator and negligently fails to comply with the requirements of this chapter is liable for civil damages caused by such negligence. Liability Continued…

Teamwork By working together, the chance of surviving a Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Arlington can be greatly increased! Public Access Defibrillator Programs Arlington Fire Department and American Medical Response Arlington Memorial Hospital and Medical Center of Arlington

QUESTIONS? Chip Buckner Quality Improvement Analyst