AED Procedures and Information for UF Facilities

Call 911 immediately for medical emergencies, inform the dispatcher if cardiac arrest is suspected!

All University of Florida Police Department (UFPD) patrol cars are equipped with AEDs and officers trained in their use.

AEDs Save Lives – Improving survival from sudden cardiac arrest.

Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when ventricular fibrillation takes place or when the heart stops beating altogether. Ventricular fibrillation is the uncoordinated heart rhythm most often responsible for sudden cardiac arrest.

Without medical attention, the victim collapses, loses consciousness, and dies. Many victims have no prior history of heart disease and are stricken without warning. There are 220,000 victims of sudden cardiac arrest per year in the United States; about 10,000 sudden cardiac arrests occur at work. Waiting for the arrival of emergency medical system personnel results in only 5-7% survival. Studies with immediate defibrillation have shown up to 60% survival one year after sudden cardiac arrest.⁽¹⁾

An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a medical device designed to be used by trained employees or the general public to respond to apparent cases of cardiac arrest.  AEDs automatically analyze the victim’s heart rhythm and deliver an electric shock when ventricular fibrillation is detected.  The shock often restores the heart rhythm to normal.

Saving Sudden Cardiac Arrest Victims in the Workplace –OSHA 3185-09N 2003

Location of Units at UF

All UFPD Patrol vehicles are equipped with AEDs.  AEDs are located in a variety of public access  facilities including all venue, recreation and many academic facilities.

Training

University of Florida Policy: “ All persons who use an automated external defibrillator should obtain appropriate training, to include completion of a course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation or successful completion of a basic first aid course that includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation training, and demonstrated proficiency in the use of an automated external defibrillator”.

Resources for CPR/AED/First Aid training are listed below for your convenience.

• www.gatorcpr.com
• www.floridaheartsaver.org

Purchasing 

The category code for purchase of AEDs is 42172101.

Florida Statutes require: “An AED is obtained by a prescription from a licensed physician. The prescription must accompany the order for the AED.”

The Director of Student Health Care Center is the prescribing physician at UF for the Purchase of AEDs.

Step 1  Authorization and Registration

The University requires departments to contact the Director of the Student Health Care Center to submit a request for approval of an AED purchase.

The Director’s Office will require the submission of a registration form for all AEDs purchased.  Submit completed form to the SHCC Director and copy Dennis Fleetwood, Interim Director, EH&S.

Risk Management Forms

Step 2:  Establish and maintain a departmental quality assurance program for AED’s.

Once AEDs are purchased/installed, submit updated information to Dennis Fleetwood and Cindy Mercado at EH&S. (use above form)

Step 3: All changes to departmental AED program must be submitted to EH&S. (use above form)

Contacts

References

 UF Safety Committee Recommendations for AED Use on Campus (1999)

 Vice President Letter of Concurrence on AED Committee Recommendations (1999)