Microsoft word - policy and procedure for automated external defibrillators _aeds_

DIT HEALTH AND SAFETY OFFICE
Policy and Procedure for Automated External Defibrillators
(AEDs)

REVISION NO.:

NUMBER OF PAGES:

REFERENCE:
Parent Health and Safety Statement
DIT First-Aid Policy and Procedure
HSA "Guidelines on First-Aid at Places of Work"

DATE OF ISSUE:
DEFINITIONS
Cardiac Arrest
Cardiac arrest is a sudden loss of normal heart function. A victim of sudden cardiac arrest will be unconscious, unresponsive and not breathing normally.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

CPR provides rescue breathing and chest compressions to someone who has collapsed and is
unresponsive. CPR can help to maintain a vital blood and oxygen supply to the heart and brain
until more advanced care can be given.
Automated External Defibrillation (AED)
An AED is a device that delivers an electric shock to a victim of cardiac arrest, in order to help restore the normal function of the heart. It is the policy of Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) to provide an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) at various locations to make early defibrillation accessible to students, staff members and other persons who experience sudden cardiac arrest. The purpose of this policy and associated procedure is to establish guidelines for the placement, maintenance and use of AEDs at DIT. PROCEDURE
• AEDs are indicated only for use on victims of sudden cardiac arrest, when the patient is unconscious, unresponsive and there is no normal breathing. • Standard procedures as outlined in the defibrillator and first-aid training courses shall be followed while using the AED. • Each use of an AED shall be accompanied by simultaneous activation of the emergency services (999 or 112) to ensure timely provision of advanced medical care. • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation shall be provided as appropriate until the emergency services or other competent medical authority arrive to assume responsibility.
EQUIPMENT
• The make and model of AED available throughout DIT buildings is the Defibtech DDU-
100 Semi-Automatic External Defibrillator.
LOCATION, STORAGE AND SECURITY • Careful consideration has been given to the best location for AEDs within DIT buildings, bearing in mind possible distances of travel, accessibility and security issues. AEDs are located at porter's desks and reception areas of main buildings throughout DIT. The list of exact locations is given in the appendices. • A central record of the location of each AED and its serial number is maintained by the Health & Safety Office. • Each AED should be stored in clean, dry and moderate temperature conditions. • Each AED unit is to be kept in a kit bag, housed inside a wall mounted case. • Each AED is clearly marked as DIT property. • Each AED kit bag should contain the following equipment and accessories: o AED unit with pre-connected pads o Spare defibrillator pads in a sealed package o Paramedic shears/scissors o Disposable gloves o Pocket face mask o Razor o Small towel o Clinical waste bag o Packet of chewable aspirin 300mg (only to be administered by a trained Occupational First Aider to a conscious patient with cardiac chest pain). • The Occupational Health Officer for each campus will maintain a central supply of equipment spares. • It is essential that regular maintenance checks of the AED units are carried out, as well as regular checks/refurbishment of consumables and accessories. • The responsibility for the care and maintenance of the AEDs shall reside with the Building Services Supervisor and the porter on duty at each location. • Simple checks are to be carried out on a daily and monthly basis, and after the AED has been used on a patient. • The porter on duty at each location will follow an established procedure to ensure that the necessary checks are done and documented, in order to verify that each AED and accessory are in the designated location and in working order. • AED status logs will be kept for each unit and will indicate each date the AED is checked, the status of the unit, and the initials of the person who performed the check. The record log sheets will be maintained in the file provided beside each AED unit. • Annual preventative maintenance and repairs, where necessary, shall be coordinated by the local Occupational Health Officer (OHO). • No staff member shall attempt any repairs other than the standard replacement of a battery or accessory. • Additional batteries, pads or other accessories can be requested from the local OHO. • If an AED exhibits an operational problem or a malfunction, it should be immediately removed from service. Operational problems or malfunctions shall be reported without delay to the local OHO, who will contact the supplier for service. MONITORING OF QUALITY OF CARE AND OUTCOMES OF INCIDENTS • Clinical waste, such as used defibrillator pads, should be gathered safely at the scene and stored in the clinical waste bag provided in the kit bag. The local OHO should be contacted who will assist with the disposal of the clinical waste. • Each incident that involves the use of an AED should be reported immediately afterwards by telephone to the Health & Safety Office, and documented on the DIT Incident Report within 24 hours. • Adverse events and complaints should also be reported and documented. Examples o AED failure or malfunction; o Grossly negligent handling of an incident or inappropriate behaviour; o Reckless or intentional misuse of or interference with AED equipment. • Where adverse incidents or complaints are reported, a full investigation will be conducted by the Health & Safety Office. • It is recognised that an incident requiring the use of an AED will be a traumatic event for all concerned, and the days after such an event is an important opportunity for reflection and discussion. A debriefing session for those affected will be co-ordinated by the Health & Safety Office in conjunction with the Employee Assistance Officer. • In order to safely and effectively operate the AED, staff members must attend and complete the necessary training programme in the use of AED and CPR techniques every two years. • Training courses will be provided by a competent trainer provider. • Training records will be maintained by the Staff Training & Development Office. APPENDICES
AED Site Information Sheet
AED Status Log Sheets
AED SITE INFORMATION SHEET Automatic External Defibrillators are to be found at the following locations: 1. Aungier Street – Porter's Desk, Main Entrance 2. Aungier Street – Porter's Desk, Phase II Entrance 3. Bolton Street – Porter's Desk, Kings Inn Street Entrance 4. Bolton Street – Porter's Desk, Main Entrance 5. Beresford Street – Porter's Desk 6. Cathal Brugha Street – Sign in Area opposite Porter's Desk, Main Entrance 7. Chatham Row – Porter's Desk 8. Kevin Street – Porter's Desk, Main Building 9. Kevin Street , National Optometry Centre – Reception Area 10. Kevin Street, Church Lane, Porter's Desk 11. Kevin Street - Swimming Pool - Observation Room 12. Kevin Street – FOCAS Building – Reception 13. Linenhall – Porter's Desk 14. Linenhall - Gym Office 15. Mountjoy Square – Porter's Desk, Main Building 16. Mount Street – Porter's Desk 17. Portland Row – Porter's Desk 18. Rathmines (143-149) – Opposite Reception Area 19. Rathmines – (Main Campus) – Porter's Desk 20. Sackville Place – Porter's Desk 21. Temple Bar – Porter's Desk 22. Zhivago Building – Porter's Desk 23. Grangegorman Campus – Groundsmans Office, Changing Room opposite Playing Fields AED STATUS LOG SHEETS
AED (DEFIBTECH DDU-100) Routine Maintenance Checklist
AED Serial Number: AED Location: DAILY CHECK
Check the Indicator Light is flashing GREEN ** (tick the box) Inspection by (initials) DAILY CHECK
Check the Indicator Light is flashing GREEN ** (tick the box) Inspection by (initials) ** The AED needs immediate attention if: • The indicator light is not flashing at all • The indicator light is flashing RED • The unit is beeping • The pads or battery pack are approaching their expiry date • The unit was recently used on a casualty Please contact your local Occupational Health Officer without delay AED (DEFIBTECH DDU-100) Routine Maintenance Checklist
AED Serial Number: AED Location: MONTHLY CHECK
Date: Check the condition of the unit and accessories (tick the box) Check pads and battery pack expiration dates Inspection by (initials) CHECK AFTER EACH USE
Date: Check the Indicator Light is flashing GREEN ** (tick the box) Check condition of unit and accessories Run manual self-test (hold the ON/OFF button down for five seconds) Replace pads Inspection by (initials)

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