Providing a heart start.The American Heart Association American Heart Association (AHA), n.pr a national voluntary health agency that has the goal of increasing public and medical awareness of cardiovascular diseases and stroke, and thereby reducing the number of associated deaths and disabilities. has recommended that all persons who are trained to provide CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Definition Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a procedure to support and maintain breathing and circulation for a person who has stopped breathing (respiratory arrest) and/or whose heart has stopped (cardiac as part of their job responsibilities should also be trained and equipped to provide 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. . In many states, this recommendation would include teachers and school staff, coaches, athletic trainers and school nurses. Implementing and early defibrillation program--placing defibrillators in nurses' offices, athletic departments and other central locations in schools and providing CPR and defibrillator defibrillator, device that delivers an electrical shock to the heart in order to stop certain forms of rapid heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias). The shock changes a fibrillation to an organized rhythm or changes a very rapid and ineffective cardiac rhythm to a training to a variety of school responders--is the key to protecting students, staff and visitors from 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. . The success of your early defibrillation program depends on commitment from key stakeholders. The support and commitment of school board members, school administrators, legal counsel and risk managers, teachers, school nurses, athletic directors, athletic trainers, the PTO/PTA, booster clubs and students is necessary to implement a successful program. Once a commitment has been made, here are several critical steps to follow in developing your early defibrillation program: * Form a task force. * Identify key program personnel: defibrillator coordinator and medical director. * Address legal and risk management issues. * Contact local EMS. * Raise public awareness. * Conduct site surveys. * Select equipment and identify program costs. * Find funding sources: create a program plan, draft a "Master Grant Proposal" template and research funding organizations. * Investigate financing options. * Develop policies and procedures Policies and Procedures are a set of documents that describe an organization's policies for operation and the procedures necessary to fulfill the policies. They are often initiated because of some external requirement, such as environmental compliance or other governmental . * Designate site coordinators and response team. * Provide responder training. * Install defibrillators and accessories. Provided by: Philips Medical Systems' HeartStart essentials for Education, "Early Defibrillation Program: Implementation Guide for Schools" |
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