Call Us: 866.890.9986

Lets Be Social:  dfl-facebook2dfl-yelp
Devices For Life AED Logo web
Start An AED

Start An AED Program

Your AED programs success is based on much more than purchasing an AED and hanging it on a wall.  Is your organization aware of the risk associated with having a worksite that is not protected with an AED program?  Additionally, what about the costs associated with the loss of an employee due to Sudden Cardiac Arrest?  If not, then it is time to consult with Devices For Life (DFL) and implement a successful program for you, your employees, your company and your bottom line.

WHAT SHOULD A COMPLETE PROGRAM INCLUDE?

  • Review of State Laws and Compliance Requirements

    The Cardiac Arrest Survival Act of 2000 encourages placement of AEDs and ensures federal liability protection for those who acquire or use an AED.  Good Samaritan laws, provide immunity to lay people who help others in an emergency.

  • Establishment of AED Site Coordinator/Program Manager

    It is recommended that one person be designated as the “AED Site Coordinator”.  This provides clear lines of responsibility established for the program, as well as roles that are defined for those who monitor the AED program.

  • Site Assessment to Determine Strategic Location(s) for AED Placement

    It is recommended that when practical, AEDs be placed in locations throughout a facility that will allow initiation and use of the AEDs within the “drop-to-shock” interval of a recognized cardiac arrest (three to five minutes). 

    AEDs should be strategically placed throughout the workplace.  They should be easily accessible (not behind locked doors); visible (mounted in cabinets with signage) and within close proximity to a phone (for quick activation of 911).

  • Purchase of AED and Related Equipment

    Prior to the purchase of any AED, it is highly recommended that you review all of the AEDs on the market.  Each AED is very distinct in its ease of use, technology, reliability, self testing capabilities, warranties, costs and the reputation of the manufacturer.  All AEDs should be consistent within your program, i.e.:  All AEDs should be of the same make/model.

  • Develop a Response Plan and/or AED Procedures Policy

    A site specific emergency response plan that identifies AED activation procedures, scope of use for all users, location of all AEDs and internal communication of AED usage.  This plan must be reviewed annually and updated as necessary.

  • Medical Direction and Oversight

    It is a legal requirement that all AED programs be under the direction of a qualified medical director.  This requires your AED program to be in compliance with medical control requirements of the state where the AEDs are located.  Additionally, the medical director must be licensed in that state as well.  

    The Medical Director’s responsibilities include:  written authorization allowing AED usage, ensuring that provisions are made for appropriate AED training, as well as reviewing each incident in which the AED is used.  They also may provide quality control, compliance with any state and local requirements and in some cases interface with local EMS.

  • Prescription

    AEDs are manufactured and sold under guidelines of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  AEDs are class III medical devices.  Current FDA regulations stipulate that any person purchasing an AED must have a physician’s prescription for the device.

  • Notification of Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

    As required by most states, it is important that notification about each workplace AED program be provided to your County EMS Agency.  Some states require registration or written application for AED programs.

  • CPR/AED Training

    Ideally, all personnel should be properly trained in both CPR and AED usage.  However, if this is not possible, it is recommended that key individuals from your organization undergo the training.  These classes are generally four hours in length and have a one or two year certification, before renewal is necessary.  Please check with your state’s health & safety codes to determine if there is a set number of people you must have trained per AED to be in compliance.

  • Provide Education and Awareness

    This is the key to the success of any program.  The more individuals who know when and how to use an AED, where they are located and have been trained in AED/CPR,  the higher the probability that individuals will take action in an emergency.  This will also dramatically increase the odds of survival for the victim.

    An AED in-service for all staff, whether CPR/AED certified or not, helps ensure everyone knows when and how to use an AED. 

    AED training drills are a good way to gauge the level of awareness of your program.  In addition, this helps keep the information and skills fresh for all of your employees.

    The more who know, the better prepared your organization is!

  • Establish an AED Quality Assurance Program

    It is recommended that an AED quality assurance program be established that includes at least the following components:
    • Written or electronic copy of AED audits
    • Any inspection sheets
    • A current list of AED responders
    • All AED training logs containing instructor names, trainees’ names, class dates, AED orientation dates, training drill dates, and certification dates, which include expiration dates and certifying agency.
    • Copies of prescription and medical direction certificates
    • EMS Notification documentation
    • AED usage information
    • Standardized methods to assess the efficacy of the program, and a system to remediate or improve necessary components.

  • Scheduled Maintenance & Replacement of AED Supplies

    It is a requirement that AEDs are properly maintained and in optimal working condition at all times.  This needs to be done in accordance with all laws, FDA requirements and the manufacturer’s recommendations.  A recommended service schedule should be followed and records of all servicing and testing must be maintained.

    After an AED is used, all equipment should be evaluated, cleaned, serviced and replaced as deemed necessary by medical direction and/or the manufacturer.

    All AEDs have batteries and pads, which will expire. These will periodically need to be replaced as well as checked for the operational condition of each AED.

  • Periodic Review & Modification of AED Program/Protocols

    All components of your AED program should be reviewed on an annual basis and amended as personnel, operational shifts, policies, organizational needs or work sites change.
  • 1

At DFL our goal is to work closely with our clients step-by-step.  Our AED Consultants are experts in their field. We understand that starting an AED program is a large undertaking.  DFL also recognizes the challenges and obstacles that sometimes occur when starting an AED program.  DFL representatives are dedicated to working closely with our clients to ensure every program aspect has been considered, addressed and executed.

With DFL on your team, you gain AED experts with a wealth of experience in implementing customized, successful AED programs. Whether your AED program is in its initial stages, in progress or in its final phase, you can count on DFL to manage your program from start to finish.

Your success; is our success!

startAEDprogram_Testimonial
DFL’S AED PROGRAM EXPERTISE WAS EVERYTHING ... ...and more than I expected. Theresa is well versed in all aspects of the AED program set-up, legal requirements, equipment, etc. She was able to provide clear-thinking real world examples of how JMF’s program applied to our various facilities. Furthermore, how our program’s set up will minimize time, resources and render the emergency care needed within the critical window of time. This was much more involved than buying a piece of equipment with buttons to push; to save a life.

Devices For Life’s slant on how to think through the logic of the program, their approach to solving some of the challenges we faced and their ability to tailor a program to meet our needs saved JMF time, money and resources.

We are now protected and highly trained in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest emergency. We also believe that working with Devices For life has been an enormous benefit to us and our new AED program. With 12 locations in various states, they were with us through each phase of implementation as well as worked to ensure we understood every aspect of our program.

The DFL approach and dedication reinforces our continued commitment to have them manage our AED program; now and in the years to come.
- Jeff Michaels CEO, JMF, Inc.
Los Angeles, California