Effective Date: February 9, 2010
Last Reviewed: February 9, 2010
Purpose & Scope:
Each year in the United States tens of thousands of people suffer from sudden cardiac arrest. Ventricular fibrillation is the most common cause of death from sudden cardiac arrest and can be treated with early defibrillation that restores the heart to a normal rhythm. The goal of this policy is to ensure that Stonehill College is reasonably prepared to address ventricular fibrillation incidents that occur on campus, by providing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) on campus that are safely maintained and used.
II. LIABILITY AND GOOD SAMARITAN LAWS
Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 112, Section 12V and 12V ½ state, in part: Any person, whose usual and regular duties do not include the provision of emergency medical care, and who, in good faith, attempts to render emergency care including, but not limited to, cardiopulmonary resuscitation or defibrillation, and does so without compensation, shall not be liable for acts or omissions, other than gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct, resulting from the attempt to render such emergency care. Any AED provider who in good faith renders emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation or automatic external defibrillation, in accordance with his training through a public access defibrillation program, to any person who apparently requires cardiopulmonary resuscitation or defibrillation, shall not be liable for acts or omissions, other than gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct, resulting from the rendering of emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation or defibrillation.
An AED medical director and an AED agency who in good faith participates in a public access defibrillator program shall not be liable for acts or omissions, other than gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct, resulting from such participation.
III. RESPONSIBILTIES
1. AED Medical Director. The College shall engage a physician practicing in either Easton or Brockton who is an emergency physician or cardiologist or a physician having specialized training and knowledge concerning public access defibrillation, is knowledgeable about emergency medical services protocols, and is familiar with cardiopulmonary resuscitation and AED action sequences.
a. The AED Medical Director will work with the AED Program Director to ensure compliance with Massachusetts laws and shall evaluate the activities of Stonehill to ensure that all employees who are expected to operate an AED have met all training requirements.
2. AED Program Director. The AED Program Director shall be the Chief of Campus Police. The Director shall be trained in AED use and CPR. The Director’s duties are as follows:
a. Implement and administer the AED program.
b. Ensure, in conjunction with the AED Medical Director, that all individuals who are expected to operate an AED have met all training requirements.
c. Ensure the maintenance of records including:
i. A log showing dates of manufacturer-recommended maintenance and name of company performing the maintenance.
ii. Repairs performed on an AED and date and name of the company performing the repairs.
iii. Dates of routine safety inspections.
iv. Documentation of required training and certifications.
v. Documentation of all AED locations.
d. Facilitate required inspection and maintenance of AED units throughout the campus.
3. AED Coordinators. Each department in possession of an AED shall appoint an individual to serve as the departmental AED Coordinator. The duties of the Coordinator are as follows:
a. Perform and document regular safety inspections on AEDs located in the department.
b. Notify the AED Program Director immediately if an AED is missing, damaged, or does not appear ready for use.
c. Maintain the following required equipment with the AED at all times
• 2 sets of defibrillator chest pads
• Disposable gloves
• 1 extra battery set, if batteries other than long-life lithium batteries are used
• Cables (if AED has removable cables)
d. Maintain the following records for each unit:
• Guidelines for use
• Manufacturer’s operating instructions
• Self-inspection records
• The identity of the department’s responsible person
IV. REVIEW
At least annually the AED Program Director and AED Coordinators shall meet to review this policy and recommend changes as necessary. Any campus department wishing to possess an AED shall prior to acquiring an AED submit a written request to the AED Program Director. The AED Program Director shall review the request and make a recommendation to the Vice President for Finance and Treasurer or his or her designee in consultation with Vice President for Student Affairs who shall either grant or deny the request.