Most organizations do not have the resources available to properly administer an effective early defibrillation program. Most often, organizations task security managers, health services managers, human resource managers, or administrative assistants to implement and manage their AED programs. These individuals typically have a full plate of responsibilities prior to being assigned their added role as AED Program Coordinator.
What exactly is an AED Program Coordinator responsible for? AED Authority® identified the following tasks involved in the implementation and administration of an early defibrillation program:
Preparation
- Review laws and regulations of AED ownership and use.
- Meet with your group’s legal counsel and risk management.
- Arrange for Medical Direction.
- Site Assessment – Determine the number of AEDs that are appropriate.
- Identify your emergency response team – Site Coordinators.
- Budget: Equipment, Training, Management/Administration
Design & Purchase
- Choose your vendor. Considerations: Product support, financial stability, history, market share, etc.
- Choose your AED. Considerations: Ease of use, recall history, therapy, medical reports, compatibility with local first responders, price, etc.
- Choose your accessories: Spare electrodes, Infant/Child compatibility, storage (carrying case, wall bracket, and alarmed cabinet), Oxygen units, etc.
- Determine optimal placement of AEDs.
- Design your policies and procedures.
- Coordinate with your local EMS – notify dispatch of the type and location of your AEDs.
- Register devices with appropriate state/local agencies.
- Recruit volunteers for CPR/AED training.
Implementation
- Certify your volunteer responders in CPR/AED.
- Deploy your AEDs and accessories.
- Record AED serial numbers and expiration dates of batteries and electrodes.
- Promote the AED program – Assure everyone in your organization is aware of your AEDs and their purpose. (Interoffice memos, press releases, etc)
Administration
- Track expiration dates of replacement accessories – batteries and electrodes. Replace as needed (every 2-4 years).
- Perform monthly maintenance checks – document these checks.
- Track and record the certifications of your trained responders. Coordinate recertification as needed (every 1-2 years).
- Budget ongoing maintenance and training costs.
- Perform or coordinate AED software upgrades and reconfigurations as needed.
- Cardiac Arrest Event – Use of the AED:
- Download the ECG data from the device and transfer to appropriate agencies (Medical Director, Responding EMS, and Treating Physician).
- Replace batteries and electrodes as needed.
- Clean and place AED back into standby mode.
This is an enormous task for an individual with little or no experience with AEDs and the legal requirements of AED ownership. This is our business and this is where we can help.
AED Concierge® manages each of these tasks for you. Our professional staff will advise and consult during the preparation, design, and implementation phases. Then, each aspect of your program will be populated into your AED Concierge® web portal by an account specialist. Your AED program is now automated – Medical direction is in place, EMS is notified, AEDs are registered with the appropriate agencies, your AED program is up and running!
As the AED Program Coordinator of your organization, you can view every detail of your program through your personalized web portal. You will have the ability to run reports, do AED status checks, track trained personnel, and prepare budgets for future AED maintenance.
We recognize each organization’s early defibrillation program is unique. Therefore, AED Concierge® is customized to each organization’s specific needs. For a complete online demonstration of our solution please contact us today.
