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| Home > Solutions > Medical Professionals > FAQs |
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FAQs | Testimonials FAQs – Medical Professionals
There is a very good chance the Code Team in the hospital cannot respond fast enough to save someone in cardiac arrest, particularly large facilities or remote areas of the hospital. Consider the time needed to make it through building security, to a remote outpatient building or clinic, or down an elevator for example. Without early defibrillation, only 5 out of 100 SCA victims will survive. AEDs offer a practical way to save more lives because they are designed for use by nearly anyone. Widespread deployment of AEDs in public places gives SCA victims the best chance of survival. [ back to top ] Who Can Operate an AED? Unlike manual defibrillators used by the code team and clinical personnel, automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are easy to operate. The new generation of AEDs analyzes the victim's condition and, if warranted, delivers an electric shock to the heart to reverse SCA. Nearly anyone with proper training can use these devices. [ back to top ] What additional training is required? In many cases, a simple course including CPR and AED training is all that is required. For example, the American Heart Association® offers the Heartsaver™ AED course, which can be completed in less than four hours. Training requirements vary, so contact Cardiac Science for more information on your state's unique requirements. [ back to top ] What liability do we incur by deploying — or not deploying — AEDs in our facilities? As a result of their easy-to-use design, Cardiac Science's AEDs reduce the risk of operator misuse. Consequently, if the Powerheart AED is used in accordance with the directions in the manual, proper training, usage protocols and medical direction, the risk of liability from using it is minimal. The laws surrounding AED usage vary from state to state. All U.S. states but one have passed Good Samaritan laws with language about AEDs. Additionally, the Cardiac Arrest Survival Act [ pdf 92.0KB ], which was passed by Congress and signed by President Clinton in 2000, provides AED users and acquirers with protection from liability. This and similar legislation underway is helping to make AEDs the standard of care for SCA, and as such, organizations are increasingly at greater liability for failing to have these life-saving devices on-site. Visit the National Center for Early Defibrillation for more information legal issues surrounding liability. 
Note: To view the above PDF document, you will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. Download the free Reader from Adobe's web site.[ back to top ] What is the cost to purchase and maintain an AED? An AED from Cardiac Science costs about the same as a well-equipped laptop computer. With its warranty and five-year battery, the Powerheart AED offers a very low cost of ownership throughout the life of the AED. A Cardiac Science sales professional can provide more information about specific options and costs. [ back to top ] Where would we place our AEDs? The Powerheart AED's convenient delivery systems allow for mobile and stationary placement throughout a hospital facility to support the 3-5 minute response time recommended by the AHA. Some key areas to place AEDs in your hospital facilities would be:
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