Defibrillators to the Rescue!

Keith Tottenham, RN, Farr 6, demonstrates the AED on a volunteer “victim.”

On May 2, BIDMC rolled out a new fleet of Medtronic Physio Control — LIFEPAK CR Plus automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces across the medical center. Already common in airports, shopping malls and sporting arenas, the laptop-sized units can detect abnormal heart rhythms in a person suffering cardiac arrest and, if appropriate, deliver a potentially lifesaving jolt of electricity to “jump start” the heart. The AEDs are designed to be operated by those with little or no medical training.

“In the case of sudden cardiac arrest, every minute counts,” says hospitalist Julius Yang, MD, PhD, chair of BIDMC’s Resuscitation Committee. “AEDs are already standard equipment on our medical units. Placement of them in public areas throughout the institution means lifesaving therapy is close at hand should a patient, visitor or employee suffer cardiac arrest anywhere in our hospital.”

The easy-to-operate AEDs feature voice prompts that walk rescuers through each step. First, the rescuer is instructed to apply two adhesive electrode pads to the victim’s chest. If a “shockable” rhythm is detected, the machine will charge itself and then instruct the rescuer to stand clear of the victim and press the shock button. In many cases of cardiac arrest, an electrical shock is the only effective way to restore the heart to its normal rhythm.