Florida Administrative Code › 64 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH › 64J - Division of Emergency Preparedness and Community Support › Chapter 64J-1 - EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES › Section 64J-1.023 - Guidelines for Automated External Defibrillators (AED) in State Owned or Leased Facilities

Current through Reg. 50, No. 138; July 16, 2024
(1) Management of
				any state owned or leased facilities considering the placement of AEDs should
				seek cooperation of facility personnel and local training, medical, and
				emergency response resources.
(2)
				An AED is obtained by a prescription from a licensed physician. The
				prescription must accompany the order for the AED.
(3) Several elements should be considered to
				determine the appropriate number, placement, and access system for AEDs.
				Facility managers should consider:
(a)
				Physician oversight provided by either a facility's medical staff or contracted
				through a designated physician. A physician should be involved as a consultant
				in all aspects of the program.
(b)
				Response Time: The optimal response time is 3 minutes or less. This interval
				begins from the moment a person is identified as needing emergency care to when
				the AED is at the side of the victim. Survival rates decrease by 7 to 10
				percent for every minute that defibrillation is delayed.
(c) Lay Responder or Rescuer Training.
1. Pursuant to Section
				 401.2915(1),
				F.S., all persons who use an AED shall have the required training.
2. Overall effectiveness of AEDs shall be
				improved as the number of trained personnel increases. Where possible, facility
				managers should establish in-house training programs on a routine
				basis.
3. Cardiopulmonary
				resuscitation and AED training can be obtained from a nationally recognized
				organization.
4. In addition to
				training on use of the AED, it is important for lay responders or rescuers to
				be trained on the maintenance and operation of the specific AED model in the
				facility.
5. Training is not a
				one-time event and formal refresher training should be conducted at least every
				2 years. Computer-based programs and video teaching materials permit more
				frequent review. Facility management should make periodic contact with a
				training entity to assure that advances in techniques and care are incorporated
				into their program. In addition to formal annual recertification, mock drills
				and practice sessions are important to maintain current knowledge and a
				reasonable comfort level by lay responders or rescuers. The intervals for
				conducting these exercises should be established in consultation with the
				physician providing medical oversight.
(d) Demographics of the Facility's Workforce:
				Management should examine the make up of the resident workforce and consider
				the age profile of workers. Facilities hosting large numbers of visitors are
				more likely to experience an event, and an appraisal of the demographics of
				visitors should be included in an assessment. Facilities where strenuous work
				is conducted are more likely to experience an event. Specialty areas within
				facilities such as exercise and work out rooms should be considered to have a
				higher risk of an event than areas where there is minimal physical
				activity.
(e) Physical Layout of
				Facility: Response time should be calculated based upon how long it will take
				for a lay responder or rescuer with an AED and walking at a rapid pace to reach
				a victim. Large facilities and buildings with unusual designs, elevators,
				campuses with several separate buildings, and physical impediments all present
				unique challenges. In some larger facilities, it may be necessary to
				incorporate the use of properly equipped "golf cart" style conveyances to
				accommodate time and distance conditions.
(f) Suggestions for proper placement of AEDs:
1. A secure location that prevents or
				minimizes the potential for tampering, theft, and/or misuse, and precludes
				access by unauthorized users.
2. An
				easily accessible position (e.g., placed at a height so those shorter
				individuals can reach and remove, unobstructed access).
3. A location that is well marked,
				publicized, and known among trained staff. Periodic "tours" of locations are
				recommended.
4. A nearby telephone
				that can be used to call backup, security, or 911.
5. Written protocols addressing procedures
				for activating the local emergency medical services system. These protocols
				should include notification of EMS personnel of the quantity, brands, and
				locations of AEDs within the facility.
6. Equipment stored in a manner whereby the
				removal of the AED automatically notifies security, EMS, or a central control
				center. If such automatic notification is not possible, emphasis should be
				placed on notification procedures and equipment placement in close proximity to
				a telephone.
(g) It is
				recommended that additional items necessary for a successful rescue be placed
				in a bag and be stored with the AED. Following are items that may be necessary
				for successful utilization of the AED:
1.
				Simplified directions for CPR and use of the AED.
2. Non-latex protective gloves.
3. Appropriate sizes of CPR face masks with
				detachable mouthpieces, plastic or silicone face shields, one-way valves, or
				other type of barrier device that can be used in mouth to mouth
				resuscitation.
4. Pair of medium
				sized bandages.
5. Spare battery
				and electrode pads.
6. Two
				biohazard or medical waste plastic bags.
7. Pad of paper and pen for
				writing.
8. Absorbent
				towel.