What is the difference between Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) and a Heart Attack?

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is caused by ventricular fibrillation. This is when the electrical signals that regulate your heart beat suddenly and with little warning, go haywire. This prevents the heart from effectively pumping blood to the brain & body and a loss of consciousness can result momentarily. Without the assistance of a nearby bystander, death can occur within 10 minutes.

A heart attack or myocardial infarction occurs when sudden blockage of a coronary artery prevents blood from properly reaching a portion of the heart. Blockages are usually caused by a rupture to excessive plaque on the wall of the artery. When oxygen rich blood fails to reach the heart, heart cells die. A heart attack is essentially the death of heart cells. Defibrillation defined:

What is EMS registration and what is its purpose?

Registering AEDs with local EMS agencies allows 911 dispatchers to advise a caller reporting a cardiac event to the nearest AED. EMS Registration may be a requirement in your state, city, or county as part of owning an AED.

What is SCA?

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is a leading cause of death not only in the United States, but also worldwide. It claims a person’s life every 5 seconds, leading to over 6 million deaths annually. Globally, the survival rate of out of hospital SCA is about 1%. While the survival rate in the United States is higher at 7%, rates upwards of over 50% have been proven to be within reach with well implemented public access defibrillation (PAD) programs, also known as Automatic External defibrillator (AED) programs.

Is first aid required in the workplace?

OSHA does require First Aid where there is no, “infirmary, clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplace which is used for the treatment of all injured employees.”(29 CFR 1910.151)

Can I manage my program on my own – without Stat PADS?

You can manage your own program, but Program Management through Stat PADS takes is designed to be easy and simple. We help manage all your AED related needs, and send notifications when items need attention. Our program also tracks major compliance areas such as regular inspections, AED Pad and Battery Expiration, CPR/AED training certification dates, and EMS registration. Our service also provides you with full AED event reporting, access to our Customer Service Team to assist you with any AED or first aid question you have.

Do you have to be certified to complete the monthly inspections?

No, you do not need to be certified to complete the monthly inspections. However, it is generally a good idea to have CPR/AED certified staff that are able to help if there is a medical emergency.

How many AEDs should I have?

The number of AEDs you should have in your organization depends on a few things, size or square footage of site, number of floors, and staff. We are happy to help with a full site assessment to determine the optimal number and placement of AEDs.

Which AED is the best?

There is no bad AED, all are designed to help save a life in the event of Sudden Cardiac Arrest. All AEDs on the market are FDA approved and have gone through rigorous testing and studies. However, certain AEDs may be a better for your specific work or office environment. We are more than happy to help you compare and discuss the many options and benefits of including an AED to your safety program.

What is the difference between semi-automatic and automatic AEDs?

Any AED on the market will either be automatic or semi-automatic, and provide clear instructions to the responders during an event. The major difference is that a semi-automatic AED requires the responders to activate or push the shock button if indicated, while fully automatic AEDs deliver the shock automatically. When determining if an automatic or semi-automatic AED is best for your organization it is best to consider all scenarios, but whichever type of AED you choose is always better than no AED.

What is the difference between Class A and Class B First Aid kits/cabinets?

The American National Standard Institute (ANSI) has developed two types of First Aid Cabinets, Class A and Class B. As of June 2016, the Class A cabinet are for the most common types of work place injuries. Class B Kits are for workplaces that have a higher risk of injury.

What is the cost of ownership (purchase vs. finance)?

AEDs can be an investment for many companies, whether you are ordering 1 or 100, Stat PADS provides you with options on purchasing AEDs, or financing them. Contact our team at Stat PADS to determine which option is the best for you.

What is an AED?

AED stands for automated external defibrillator, which is a compact, life-saving device that helps check and detect a patient’s heart rhythm. AEDs are used in emergency situations if a patient is suspected of suffering from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). The AED is able to deliver an electric shock to the heart, to help restore a normal rhythm.   An AEDs defibrillation or shock is the only treatment proven to start a heart that’s suffering from ventricular fibrillation, or cardiac arrest.

Who has AEDs, and why should I have one?

AEDs can be found in a wide variety of organizations such as; shopping malls, schools, churches, construction sites, fitness centers, airports, and businesses. While AEDs are required in some organizations, any facility that has an AED and Program Management is equipped to handle a sudden cardiac arrest emergency.