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1 <br />ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: May 18, 2010 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. ~ ° G <br />SUBJECT: Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) Report <br />DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services <br />PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />#1: Inventory of Current Placements <br />#2: Recommended Placement Sites <br />#3: Policy Recommendations <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Frank Montes de Oca, 919-245 -6100 <br />Pam Jones, 919-245-2650 <br />PURPOSE: To receive a report regarding the current status of Automatic External Defibrillators <br />(AED) installed in County facilities and recommend the development of a policy and plan to <br />upgrade current and future installations. <br />BACKGROUND: AEDs are self-contained cardiac monitor/defibrillators initially intended for <br />use by the public to shock the heart back into rhythm in the event of cardiac arrest or fibrillation. <br />When a heart fibrillates, an inadequate volume of oxygenated blood is circulated throughout the <br />body. According to the American Heart Association, a human brain starved of oxygen can <br />experience irreversible damage within 4-6 minutes. The goal is to have effective cardio- <br />pulmonary resuscitation and converted arrhythmia within this timeframe to give the victim a <br />chance for survival with hopes for a full recovery. AEDs are common additions to public <br />buildings throughout the US. Due to their popularity, the cost per unit has fallen sharply over <br />the past decade. <br />The Board directed the Departments of Emergency Services and Asset Management and <br />Purchasing Services to take inventory of the current "fleet" of AEDs installed in County facilities, <br />determine their status and develop recommendations for a policy outlining consistent <br />specifications, purchasing, installation and maintenance in order to bring consistency to the <br />program. To maximize the impact of the limited funding for the program, initial efforts will be <br />focused on publicly accessed facilities such as the Whitted Building, Hillsborough Commons, <br />libraries and other County buildings where significant public use occurs. These facilities are <br />listed in Attachments 1 and 2. Generally, the AEDs will be placed on each floor with public use <br />with the goal of access to an AED within 4-6 minutes. In addition, placement will be based on <br />established standards for access and visibility, which will make it clear to staff and visitors <br />where the AED is located to speed utilization during a medical emergency. <br />