Bonney Lake to receive life saving defibrillators
Published 4:03 pm Thursday, April 30, 2009
By Teresa Herriman, The Courier-Herald
East Pierce Fire & Rescue has budgeted to purchased 10 automatic external defibrillators, seven of which are to be located in various public places throughout the area. The lightweight units are remarkably easy to use and will be placed where crowds tend to gather. The goal, according to assistant chief of medical services, Russ McCallion, is to increase the survival rates for people with cardiac emergencies.
Three of the defibrillators, called AEDs, will replace older units currently in use. East Pierce is meeting with Bonney Lake officials and the local sheriff and police departments to determine the best locations for the remaining AEDs. One is already designated for the Bonney Lake Senior Center.
The program is part of the department's 2004 goal to make Bonney Lake a "Heart Safe Community." Placing AEDs in public locations is an important part of the "chain of survival," McCallion said. The cost of a typical public access defibrillator is between $1,200 and $3,000. According to McCallion, East Pierce chose the AED manufactured by Defibtech, because it is simple to use, safe and affordable. Each unit weights just over four pounds and is the size of a laptop computer. The units have a typical shelf life of seven years and can provide up to 300 shocks or 16 hours of continuous operation.
Annually, more than 250,000 people in the U.S. suffer sudden cardiac arrest, a condition in which the heart abruptly stops beating. According to the Centers for Disease Control, it is the leading cause of death among adults in this country. McCallion said there are an average of two to three cardiac arrests each month in the Tri-District that encompasses Bonney Lake, South Prairie and District 12. On the average, 15 percent of cardiac arrest victims here survive. That's a vast improvement over the national average of only 5 to 7 percent. However, research indicates that the survival rate could more than double if victims were treated quickly enough with defibrillators.
"The power to save lives is amazing," McCallion said. He cites a recent clinical trial based at the University of Washington that found 29 persons survived at the AED sites compared to 15 persons as non-AED sites. A test in Nevada casinos indicated survival rates increased from 5 to 6 percent to greater than 59 percent using the public access AEDs. "With each passing minute, a patient's survival rate drops 7 to 10 percent," McCallion said. Airlines are now required to carry an AED on every flight and a number of chain stores, including Target, provide AEDs at every location.
Adults aren't the only victims. McCallion referred to the recent death of a 12-year old Lake Stevens Middle School student who collapsed at a cross-country meet. Snohomish High School, where the meet was held, had purchased three AEDs, but the units were being held at Everett's Medic One waiting for board approval.
It takes less than 10 minutes to train an individual to use the defibrillators. Even without training, the devices are self-explanatory. Diagrams on the pads illustrate where they should be placed. Pressing one of two buttons begins the process. The system first conducts a patient analysis to see if the victim's heart is in a "shockable state." If the heart is still beating, the system will not allow the person to be shocked. Voice prompts instruct the user throughout the process. When instructed, the user presses the second button to deliver the shock. Again, the system monitors the patient, directing the user if a second shock is required. The system will deliver three shocks, then, if the patient has not responded, it will instruct the user to begin one minute of CPR. This provides crucial oxygen to the victim's brain and helps prevent damage. After one minute, the system will resume the shocks. The process continues until emergency crews arrive to assist.
There have been concerns regarding liability for individuals using the AED. However, the state's Good Samaritan Law protects the public from charges of negligence. In fact, McCallion reports that lawsuits have begun to be filed against health centers and gyms for failing to provide an AED on-site.
The purchase of the AEDs is part of a well-organized campaign that includes making AEDs available for citizens to check out for special occasions, such as a 50th anniversary gala or civic event. East Pierce Fire & Rescue is offering to assist businesses, such as supermarkets, large stores and health clubs that purchase the device in training employees, doing regular equipment inspections and reviewing the internal event records provided after the machines have been used. The department not only wants the AEDs out there, McCallion said, but to make sure the equipment is functioning properly and people are trained to use them. "Our goal is to provide one-stop shopping for the program in our area. We want to increase the comfort so it used when needed."
The department also plans to establish a non-profit organization, called the East Pierce Medic One Foundation, to help fund additional AEDs through tax deductible contributions. The AED program is "part of being a full-service fire department," McCallion said. "We are looking forward to improving survival."
Teresa Herriman can be reached at therriman@cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/courierherald.
