So you put in your AEDs, Now what?

In a recent article by the Health And Safety Institute, a case in Syracuse, New York showed why AED program management is important for any organization that is required by law to have automated external defibrillators on their premises.

A lawsuit brought against a Syracuse, NY health club, claimed that “two non-working AEDs…led to a member’s sudden cardiac death.” One of the AEDs had no battery, the other had a dead battery.

The case is against both the fitness club, and the device manufacturer. 

What this underscores, is that it is not enough to simply install AEDs in your facility, and that an AED management program is required to ensure that businesses do not face these kinds of situations.

“There are a variety of reasons why AED programs fail. Equipment maintenance is certainly one of those reasons. This potential point-of-failure is one that can be easily prevented with the right tools and a trusted AED program services partner. A trusted partner can also help reduce risks by ensuring proper AED law compliance.”

Just like any other sophisticated piece of equipment, an AED requires care and maintenance in order to ensure that the device functions properly when it is needed. An AED management program keeps devices in good working order, with scheduled battery checks, important manufacturer software upgrades, training reminders, and any other routine maintenance that is required to ensure that when needed, staff know how to use the device, and above all that the device is able to do what it was intended for.

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