AED Program Implementation

Do you have an automated external defibrillator (AED) on site? Maybe you are thinking about purchasing one? Here are some ideas of what a program entails and some questions to think about if you choose to implement an AED program.

Use of an AED is covered by the Good Samaritan Law and can be a useful tool to have in your facility. A physician's prescription is required to purchase an AED. A physician is also required to oversee the program. If there isn't a physician at your facility to do this, the companies that train and sell AED's can also coordinate this for you for a fee.

First, consider the location of your AED. The area you choose should be a central location, easily accessible, and in a high traffic area. Ease of accessibility to the AED will be critical when responding to an emergency.

Second, decide to alarm or not to alarm the case. Cases that house the AED come alarmed or not alarmed. What will you decide? There is no right or wrong answer to this question. One pro to having an alarmed case is that employees can hear the alarm and can respond to the scene. This can also be a con if you prefer to limit the amount of employees responding.

Third, think about what maintenance is involved with an AED program. It is a good idea to assign someone to be the site coordinator. Refer to the manual for the AED you purchase but in general, monthly, you should check for the following:

• That the case is unobstructed
• That the pads are not expired
• That the battery is functioning
• That the status indicator light is visible and blinking (or not, depending on your unit)
• That the unit is not damaged
• That the supplies are available
• Employee training is current

Finally, all employees who want to respond to an emergency using the AED must be trained. In New Hampshire, AED and CPR training are required but there is no specific standard for training. Also required in New Hampshire, is the requirement for the owner of the AED to register with the Department of Safety within 30 days of acquiring the AED. In Massachusetts, there is no requirement to register the AED but training standards are the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association.

Contact Us  |  Back to Articles

Safety Partners efficiently and cost-effectively implements hands-on environmental, health, and safety (EHS) programs at emerging life sciences companies. Safety Partners tailors its programs to each client's unique science, processes, procedures, and facilities, while reducing program implementation burdens. Its expertise is unmatched, clocking over 85,000 hours at over 120 New England life sciences firms.