Need for defibrillators outweighs potential liability. (Property/Casualty: Loss/Risk Management Notes).Each year, sudden cardiac arrest cardiac arrest n. Abbr. CA A sudden cessation of cardiac function, resulting in loss of effective circulation. Cardiac arrest A condition in which the heart stops functioning. claims the lives of more than 350,000 people in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. . Studies show that survivability sur·viv·a·ble adj. 1. Capable of surviving: survivable organisms in a hostile environment. 2. That can be survived: a survivable, but very serious, illness. rates can be greatly improved if victims are treated immediately with defibrillation Defibrillation Definition Defibrillation is a process in which an electronic device sends an electric shock to the heart to stop an extremely rapid, irregular heartbeat, and restore the normal heart rhythm. , an electrical pulse that can help the heart resume a normal rhythm. Although some businesses may fear that implementing an automated external defibrillator automated external defibrillator Emergency medicine A portable device designed for use by first-response personnel for out-of-hospital emergency treatment of Pts suffering from cardiac arrest. See First-response personnel. program could increase their liability exposure, it actually can control risks, according to a loss-control expert with Hartford Financial Services Group. Federal and state Good Samaritan statutes have been modified to protect those who use an automated external defibrillator, said Alan T. Relyea, executive technical consultant with Hartford's loss-control department. These statutes provide immunity from liability for those who render aid to someone in need of medical assistance "without the expectation of compensation and in the absence of willful misconduct or gross negligence An indifference to, and a blatant violation of, a legal duty with respect to the rights of others. Gross negligence is a conscious and voluntary disregard of the need to use reasonable care, which is likely to cause foreseeable grave injury or harm to persons, property, or ." Not only do the life-saving benefits of a well-conceived automated external defibrillator program outweigh the potential downside, but increasingly, failure to provide such a program in the event of sudden cardiac arrest is becoming a liability concern. Relyea advises business owners to follow established practices when placing automated external defibrillators and provide appropriate maintenance and training. The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine guidelines for establishing a workplace program recommend the following actions: * Establish a centralized management system for the automated external defibrillator. * Secure medical direction and control of the workplace program. * Develop a written program description for each location. * Coordinate with local emergency medical services An Emergency medical service (abbreviated to initialism "EMS" in many countries) is a service providing out-of-hospital acute care and transport to definitive care, to patients with illnesses and injuries which the patient believes constitutes a medical emergency. . * Follow scheduled maintenance and replacement of defibrillators and ancillary equipment. * Conduct periodic review and verification of the workplace program. |
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