- Article
#9-
Occupational
Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)
Automatic External Defibrillators at WorkAccording to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), in 1999 and 2000, 13 percent of total workplace fatalities resulted from cardiac arrest. Workers holding high-stress jobs, exposed to certain chemicals or electrical hazards, or involved in shift work, face an even higher risk of heart disease and cardiac arrest.
Where cardiac arrest is concerned, every second truly is a matter of life and death, and OSHA estimates that providing an automated external defibrillator at worksites could save as many as 120 lives per year. According to studies, for every minute defibrillation is delayed, a victim's chance of survival drops by 10 percent. That is one of the reasons why major airlines decided to place AEDs on board several years ago. Today, you'll find these easy-to-use devices everywhere from retail establishments to factories. EMC Insurance Companies, for example, recently purchased two systems for its Home Office complex in Des Moines, Iowa.
When a heart attack becomes a full cardiac arrest, the heart most often goes into uncoordinated electrical activity called fibrillation. AEDs deliver an electric current to the heart, momentarily stunning it. This gives the heart an opportunity to resume beating effectively. Although CPR can sustain life for a short period of time, the use of AEDs is the only effective treatment for ventricular defibrillation.
Advances in Technology Make AEDs More Accessible Than Ever Before
In the past, defibrillation could only be applied at hospitals or by paramedic crews, but the advancement of AEDs has changed that. Best of all, AEDs are both affordable and easy to use.
AEDs weigh about eight pounds and are portable devices about the size of a laptop computer, making them easy to store and transport around a business. They cost between $3,000 and $4,500 per unit. Ideally, the user will have some CPR knowledge and training, but that isn't essential. Several models include design features that can walk the user through a rescue with drawings or recorded voice prompts. The machines also show when patients should not be administered another shock.
More and more businesses are purchasing AEDs to protect their workers and reduce workplace losses that are emotionally and financially draining. But they're not something you just go down to Wal-Mart and buy. AEDs are manufactured and sold under guidelines approved by the Food and Drug Administration. In order to purchase one, you must obtain a prescription from a physician. And although anyone can use an AED, it's also a good idea to train some staff members in CPR and AED operation.
With cardiac arrest striking approximately 1,000 adults per day in the United States AEDs are an important part of your first-aid program. To learn more about purchasing an AED and implementing an AED training program, contact your local medical professional.
