Why Every Business Should Add an AED Management Service
When someone has a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), seconds matter. More than 95% of all SCA patients die before reaching a hospital and 70% of survivors experience impaired brain function. But if they receive care including defibrillation within 5 to 7 minutes, survival rates rise and severe long-term damage is less likely. That’s why AED management service is vital.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the impact of AEDs and why this device is a critical need in your workplace. We’ll also cover finding the right AED management service for AED maintenance and CPR and First Aid Safety training.
What is AED?
An AED unit is a collection of medical supplies that are used to help someone who is experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. The kit typically includes an automated external defibrillator (AED), gloves, a CPR mask, and other supplies that may be needed to provide first aid.
The AED is the most important item to have on hand in case of an emergency. It is a portable device that delivers an electrical shock to the heart, which can help to restore a normal heart rhythm. The AED is easy to use and can be used by anyone, even if they have no medical training.
What are Some AED Management Services?
There are many different AED management services available, each with its own set of features and benefits. Here are a few of the most popular services:
- AED Rental: This service allows you to rent an AED for a specified period of time. This is a good option for businesses or organizations that only need an AED for a short period of time.
- AED Montoring: This service includes the routine maintenance of your AED. This is a good option for businesses or organizations that want to make sure their AED is always in working order - with the proper pads and batteries.
- AED Installation is included with part of the ImageFIRST program: This service includes the installation of an AED in your business or organization. This is a good option for businesses or organizations that want to make sure that their AED is installed correctly.
How AEDs Are Saving Lives
An AED unit helps a bystander take action during a cardiac arrest, assisting the person in distress. The unit provides loud and obvious audiovisual cues throughout the emergency situation and instructs them about what to do, step by step.
You might be surprised to learn that during cardiac events, bystanders often play larger roles in saving lives than emergency responders. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that 32% of outside-hospital cardiac arrests involve bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation but had no AED device applied before emergency workers arrived. Only 2% had AED assistance prior to EMS arrival.
When AEDs are used, they’re applied by bystanders more often than either EMS workers or police officers. Below are the NIH’s statistics on who applies AED devices most often in life-saving situations.
- Bystanders/lay volunteers 35%
- Healthcare workers 32%
- Police 26%
- Unknown 7%
Here’s the good news: AEDs are proven to work. One study found that the AED survival rate with bystander intervention within 3 minutes after a collapse was as high as 74%. Government statistics show AED devices are saving about 474 lives per year.
Why Do You Need an AED in the Workplace?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends installing AEDs at all U.S. work sites as a safe and easy-to-learn method of saving lives. Almost anyone can use one, with or without a background in medical training.
If you manage an office, you may have a legal requirement to obtain and maintain life-saving equipment. Although AEDs are not specifically required by OSHA or other government agencies, facilities are required to have adequate first aid tools on-premises and more than 30 states have enacted laws supporting targeted AED placement under guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Healthcare facilities are at an increased risk of someone experiencing a sudden cardiac event and in these situations, every minute counts. As the Department of Labor explains on its OSHA site about AEDs, the chance of surviving a cardiac event diminishes by 7% to 10% per minute without defibrillation, and after 10 minutes, resuscitation is rarely successful.
AEDs aren’t just for healthcare facilities. Functioning AEDs are saving lives at all kinds of businesses and job sites where people do high-stress, labor-intensive tasks associated with an elevated risk of cardiac arrests: construction sites, transportation, moving, engineering, and more.
Keep in mind that a heart attack can happen anywhere. The American Heart Association points out that some of the jobs with the highest rates of on-site heart attacks are not traditionally considered physical labor roles: accounting, administrative support, bookkeeping, home health, nursing, and sales.
Here’s a summary of the main benefits of having ImageFIRST AEDs in the workplace.
- No up-front cost with ImageFIRST
- SureScanTM Restocking System
- HeartSineⓇ Samaritan public access defibrillators
- Life-saving investment in emergency preparedness
- Meet HSI, OSHA, and CDC guidelines and stay in compliance
- Lead your industry in outstanding healthcare practices
- Our staff monitors and maintains your equipment
- Anyone can use intuitive AEDs
- RFID-enabled devices with an 8-year warranty
- Life-saving emergency care programs following regulations
- Highly durable to dust and moisture (IP56 certified)
- Visible AED signage for display in your location
- CPR and safety training courses available
Ensuring the Functionality of Your Defibrillator with AED Management Services
An AED must remain in good working order so it’s ready to save a life at any moment. This involves ongoing maintenance and inspection by your staff or from a partner like ImageFIRST.
Incorporate your AED into your facility's emergency response plan and ensure all employees are properly trained on using the AED in an emergency situation. Contact ImageFIRST to learn more about available staff CPR and AED training options.
Our AED program includes four steps:
- We install your AED unit with a cabinet and required signs.
- You receive monthly service ensuring your unit is tested and operating correctly.
- We replace batteries, parts, and pads for the duration of the unit’s life.
- Monthly billing is simple and affordable.
Additional AED Management and First Aid Resources From ImageFIRST
Does your healthcare facility need these essential health and safety resources? Explore the list below to see which options might be required for your facility or missing from your locations.
CPR and Safety Training Courses
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training takes about 2 hours and the certification lasts 2 years.
- Select from convenient hybrid training modules with in-person and remote portions.
- Virtual phase combined with on-site skills testing required for certification.
First Aid Box
- Protect your people with first aid supplies that support a safe workplace.
- First aid boxes are OSHA Policy 29 CFR 1910.151(b) and ANSI compliant.
- Medical supplies and equipment for your employees offer protection in case of injury or illness.
- Avoid running out of important first aid supplies.
Fire Extinguisher Program
- OSHA requires accessible, identifiable portable extinguishers in every building.
- Monthly and annual fire extinguisher inspections ensure optimal performance.
- We recharge extinguishers after use, as needed.
Emergency Eye Wash Stations
- Protect your team in the event of an eye-threatening emergency.
- OSHA requires emergency eye wash stations that provide at least 1.5L of clean water per minute.
- Portable eyewash units should be able to deliver continuous water for at least 15 minutes.
- If you already have eye wash stations, we offer custom programs and maintenance.
How to Learn More About ImageFIRST’s AED Management Service
ImageFIRST, a leading provider of healthcare linens and facility services programs since 1967, now offers AED management services. Industry-leading AED (automated external defibrillator) units are easy to use and help protect everyone who visits and works at your location.
ImageFIRST is here to help you preserve the safety of your healthcare facilities. Learn more about our AED and safety training programs on our AED safety page or by calling 888-440-9896.