AED's: Making a Difference

On May 20, 1997, Congressman Cliff Stearns (R-FA) and 45 congressional co-sponsors introduced the "Cardiac Arrest Survival Act" {HR 1679} which, in part, recommends greater accessibility to Automated External Defibrillators (A.E.D.'s) for trained professionals and lay persons who regularly respond to medical emergencies. It calls for demonstration projects for AED's to be in public places, such as office buildings, stadiums and Arenas.

"Everyday in the United States, 1,000 adults will become victims of sudden cardiac arrest," states Joseph Ornato, MD, chairman of the American Heart Association's Emergency Cardiac Committee. Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) claims more than 350,000 lives every year, usually the result of an electrical malfunction of the heart called Ventricular Fibrillation. It strikes men and women, increasing in prevelance with age. It is difficult to predict and many victims have no prior symptons. Some of the symptons of SCA include immediate loss of consciousness and death, within a matter of minutes, without proper medical intervention -- and currently, fewer than one in 20 victims in the United States survives! An unfortunate statistic which can be changed.

Unlike many medical emergencies, definitive therapy exists in this instance -- electrical defibrillation. Event Medical Services, Inc., which provides professional on-site first aid and medical services at public assembly venues and other events throughout California, has adopted an agressive effort to make a difference and joins the American Heart Association and Congressman Stearns in improving first response care for victims of SCA. This legislation has 27 other sponsors, including the American Red Cross, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the American College of Cardiology, the Citizen CPR Foundation, and Event Medical Services, Inc.

In July 1996, Event Medical Services, Inc. implemented an AED program to provide trained Emergency Medical Technicians and Registered Nurses, equipped with state-of-the-art defibrillators at various event facilities and event activities currently served by our firm. Our training program, in accordance with California Title 22 standards, was approved by the Orange County Emergency Medical Services Authority and given Continuing Education status. Similar authorization has been granted by the California Board of Registered Nurses. To date, more than 60 individuals have received this certification through our program, and course instruction continues. It is an extensive four-hour class, followed by written and skills testing; then one-hour skills refreshers on a bi-monthly basis. The primary instructor is Wendy Grose, RN/CCRN/CEN, who serves as Nursing Coordinator for Event Medical Services. She completed her Master's program at UCLA in 2002 and is currently in private practice as a Nurse Practioner.

"We have seen the statistics and believe this new program will work to improve the survival rate for those attending or participating in special event activities, who become victims of Sudden Cardiac Arrest," says Pamela Lux, D.O., Medical Director for Event Medical.. Rapid response, assessment and early defibrillation followed by ALS implementation are the key. Defibrillation stops the Ventricular Fibrillation with an electrical charge that allows a normal heart rhythm to resume, in most instances. It is highly effective when administered within the first few minutes following the SCA incident. The likelihood of successful resuscitation decreases by approximately 10 percent with each minute following the onset of SCA. "Since we are on-site at the event, we can improve the response time, and achieve the goal of having the first shock delivered in less than 90 seconds upon reaching the patient."

The American Heart Association believes that as many as 100,000 deaths could be prevented each year through the widespread deployment of defibrillators. Patients who survive Sudden Cardiac Arrest have an excellent long-term prognosis -- 57 percent of the survivors live five years or longer.

Event Medical Services, Inc. has developed a unique partnership with Phillips Medical  (Heartstream Corporation of Seattle, WA.), and has purchased the "ForeRunner 2" AED for use at these event assignments. To date, 14 have been brought on-line and are deployed on assignments at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim (home of the NHL's Mighty Ducks), at the 15,000-seat Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Irvine, at the 487-acre Los Angeles Fairplex in Pomona and at selected events at the Los Angeles Convention Center, as well as numerous dog shows, and at more than 12 major fairs annually. The "ForeRunner 2" uses biphasic waveform technology and lithium powered batteries that makes the unit extremely lightweight (four pounds). It is also exceptionally durable, bulit to withstand the rigors of tough weather and rough handling. In addition our products division, EMS MEDICAL PRODUCTS, sells these units for other first responders.

In 1997, we had three SCA incidents where the AED has been used, unfortunately without successful resuscitation of the patients. We had two more uses in 2000, again without successful resuscitation.  However, on September 24, 2001 during a Leukemia Walk at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim, a 38-year-old male spectator collapsed and went into cardiac arrest. Two of our Team Members attached the AED and delivered three shocks. The patient left under paramedic care, breathing on his own and was admitted to the cardiac care unit of a nearby hospital. Quick action made a difference!  And, again less than two weeks later on October 6,  at the Los Angeles County Fairplex in Pomona when an approximate 50 year old visitor attending a consumer show, dropped and went into a seizure and subsequent sudden cardiac arrest. Once again EMS Team Members attached the AED, one shock was delivered while Paramedics arrived. The patient left the event breathing and with a sinus rhythm and has been admitted to the Cardiac Care unit at Pomona Valley Medical Center. In July, 2004, a 34-year old male attending at concert at the Orange County Fair fell victim to sudden cardiac arrest and Team Members Debbie Haffey, Leslie Tillema and Bryan Hunt responded. CPR had been initiated and one shock was delivered. The patient was breathing on his own when paramedics arrived and he was transported to Hoag Hospital .... alive and breathing. A quick response and great job by our Team Members. They were named "Employees of the Day" by the Fair in recognition of their great teamwork.

Annually, in covering more than 3,600 events, there are is estimated audience of 10.5 million persons and the continued likelihood of SCA incidents remains a concern. "We have not changed our rate structure or fees to clients where the AED's are being deployed," Grose explains. "Instead, we are firmly behind the AHA, Congressman Stearns and the other supporters of the Chain of Survival in improving the rapid response and early defibrillation for those suffering sudden cardiac arrest." 

Another step forward was taken in February of 1999, when we began offering added training skills to our AED team members in advanced airway techniques, using the Combi-Tube. For patients in cardiac arrest, airway management is a critical element and with the introduction of this expanded scope of practice for EMT's in California, the combi-tube airway can greatly improve the ability to oxygenate the patient.

In August and September, 2001, we implemented an aggressive training program to update our staff on the new American Heart Association standards in basic CPR for healthcare providers; and orientation to the new Forerunner2 AED's which were phased into our system mid-2002. We have also completed training of venue staff at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim, who now have two AED's available during non-event hours; and for the training staff of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, who also have two AED's for their personnel.

We are pleased to salute the following EMT's and RN's who have successfully completed AED training and are committed to making a difference!

For additional information on Event Medical Services, Inc. AED program, use the comment section on our Guest Register or send us e-mail. Classes may be arranged for others interested in being certified in AED use.
                        

April,  2005             
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