Campus Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Policy

The purpose of the Campus Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Policy is to establish procedures and responsibilities for the purchase, installation, maintenance, replacement, and use of AEDs in accordance with the Campus AED Program and applicable state laws. These devices are deployed throughout campus to increase the survival chances of individuals in the Northern Illinois University (NIU) community who experience sudden cardiac arrest. Use of the AED will not replace the care provided by emergency medical services (EMS) providers, but it is meant to provide a potential lifesaving bridge during the first few critical minutes prior to the arrival of EMS providers.

Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

An AED is a portable electronic device that can be used in cases of sudden cardiac arrest. The device can automatically diagnose life threatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia and is able to treat through defibrillation, the application of electricity, which stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm.

CPR/AED Trained User

An individual who has successfully completed a course of instruction in CPR that includes an AED component in accordance with the standards of a nationally recognized organization such as the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) System Resource Hospital

The hospital with authority and responsibility for an EMS System. This includes coordination and providence of pre-hospital, inter-hospital emergency care, and medical transportation.

Medical Emergency Plan

A written plan to deal with the occurrence of a sudden, serious, and unexpected sickness or injury. This type of occurrence would result in urgent or unscheduled medical care.

Physical Fitness Facility

An indoor or outdoor establishment that is:

• Supervised by one or more persons for the purpose of directly supervising physical fitness activities taking place at the facility.
• Served by more than 100 individuals in a calendar year who actively engage in physical exercise that use large muscle groups while substantially increasing the heart rate.
• Owned in whole or in part by the university.

Exempted from this Policy are yoga studios, driving ranges, bowling lanes, putting greens, batting cages, hospitals, hotels, or other facilities where participants do not focus primarily on cardiovascular exertion.

The Policy establishes procedures and responsibilities for the purchase, installation, maintenance, replacement, and use of AEDs. This Policy applies to all NIU departments including satellite operations that have purchased and/or installed AEDs for their facilities, either as mandated by applicable state laws or on a voluntary basis.

Responsibilities

AED Program Administrator

• Partner with campus stakeholders to maintain and update the NIU AED Policy, Campus AED Program, and associated AED inventory database as needed to reflect changes in state laws and/or internal operations.
• Provide technical assistance as needed.
• Review and evaluate AED registration forms submitted by the AED Coordinator.
• Conduct periodic compliance assessments to ensure AEDs are being properly inspected and maintained.
• Assist the AED Program Facilitator by offering training based upon available resources.

AED Program Facilitator

• Provide CPR/AED training per request based upon available resources.
• Ensure that the EMS System Resource Hospital is notified when an AED is used to facilitate a medical emergency.
• Place AEDs back in service after use and submitting the AED utilization forms to the EMS System Resource Hospital.
• Service and maintain owned and operated AEDs in squad vehicles and buildings on the DeKalb campus, including the Wellness and Literacy Center per manufacturer instructions. This includes performing monthly checks, replacing pads and batteries as needed, replacing AEDs on a 10-year life cycle, and maintaining inspection, testing, and maintenance records. Athletics and the Division of Outreach assume responsibility for service and maintenance of AEDs within their respective venues.

AED Program Coordinator

Departments in which AEDs are located serve as the AED Program Coordinator and are responsible for:

• Ensure that all CPR/AED Trained Users within the department receive proper training.
• Maintain personnel training records.
• Submit the AED Utilization Form to the AED Program Facilitator post deployment of the AED. This form is available by contacting AED Program Facilitator.
• Contact the AED Program Administrator in the event there is a need to purchase and install a new AED. Upon receipt, the AED Program Coordinator shall submit the AED registration form to the AED Program Administrator. These forms are available by contacting the AED Program Administrator.
• Periodically check AEDS in their respective areas and report any apparent operational deficiencies to the AED Program Facilitator.

AED Placement

There are several major elements that should be considered when determining the appropriate number, placement, and access requirements for AEDs. According to the American Heart Association Guidelines, the primary objective for any successful AED program is to achieve a three to five-minute response time from the moment a person is identified as needing emergency medical care to when the AED is at the side of the victim. Placement of AEDs will be considered by utilizing, in part, the following criteria:

• Physical Fitness Facilities and any other locations mandated by regulatory requirements
• Departments or other functional areas that are staffed with CPR/AED Trained Users
• Areas with a high population density or operations involving elevated exposure to hazards
• Applicable campus accessibility requirements

The AED must be placed in a location where it is relatively secure from theft or vandalism, yet clearly marked, and readily accessible in the event of an emergency. All necessary supplies and equipment must be stored with the AED, including a resuscitation kit.

Installation

A department that purchases an AED must complete an AED Registration Form and submit the form to the AED Program Administrator. Once the AED registration form has been submitted, the AED Program Administrator will contact the department to discuss Policy requirements. If there is a need to permanently install the AED in a building, the department must submit a work request to the Physical Plant Work Request Office.

Authorized Equipment

All new AEDs must be properly equipped with the following:

• One set of adult defibrillation pads connected to the AED
• One spare set of adult defibrillation pads
• One resuscitation kit containing two pairs of gloves, one razor, one pair of trauma shears, one towel, and one facemask barrier device

Inspection and Maintenance

All AED equipment and accessories shall be maintained in a state of readiness in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations. The AED Program Facilitator is responsible for completing monthly checks, performing periodic maintenance, and record keeping in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations. Inspection tags are affixed to each AED to record monthly checks.

If identified deficiencies cannot be promptly resolved, the AED shall be temporarily removed from service and repaired or retired. The AED Program Facilitator will notify the AED Coordinator of the status of the AED so the AED Coordinator can amend internal operations as needed.

Training

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and AED training is mandatory for certain staff on campus including but not limited to: Athletic training staff, campus recreation center staff, campus medical professionals, and select staff from Facilities Management and Campus Services. If used for special events, ushers and event staff may also need to be trained. Otherwise, departments with AED units installed within their buildings are required to have at least one CPR/AED Trained User within the department who can use an AED in a medical emergency. To be recognized as a CPR/AED Trained User, an individual must:

• Successfully complete a course of instruction in CPR in accordance with the standards of a nationally recognized organization such as the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association that incorporates instruction in the use of an AED; or,
• Successfully complete an instructor training course for AED in accordance with the standards of a nationally recognized organization such as the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association

CPR/AED Trained Users must renew CPR training in accordance with the American Red Cross or American Heart Association guidelines. AED Coordinators must maintain a list of current CPR/AED Trained Users and associated training records.

Physical Fitness Facilities

The following requirements apply for AEDs installed in Physical Fitness Facilities:

• Develop and implement the site-specific Medical Emergency Plan (Plan).
• Ensure there is a CPR/AED Trained User on staff during staffed business hours.
• Train each member of facility staff on the location of the AED and the requirements of the Plan.
• Multiple physical fitness facilities on one floor may use a single AED if:
  • An AED is located no more than 300 feet from each facility
  • An AED remains accessible to both facilities
• Ensure that at least one operable AED is always on the premises.
• Arrange for repair or replacement of an inoperable AED within 10 days.
• Maintain copies of:
  • Inspection records
  • Post-incident AED Utilization Forms
  • Plans
• Submit the Plan to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Plans should be updated with IDPH if there is any change that may affect the ability of the physical fitness facility to comply with a medical emergency. This includes, but is not limited to, situations where the facility is closed for more than 45 days, the AED is inoperable, or there is a lack of trained staff.

Outdoor Physical Fitness Facilities

Requirements for outdoor Physical Fitness Facilities include:

• A CPR/AED Trained User shall be on site when activities or sponsored events of the university are occurring.
• An AED shall be housed within 300 feet of the outdoor facility, if available. It should be accessible during events or activities. Building entrances should have directions to the AED.
• If there is no building where AEDs can be housed, an AED should be available on the premises during the scheduled event.

Third-Party Vendor Requirements

NIU reserves the right to require vendors and/or third-party entities to provide the required number of operable AEDs and associated CPR/AED Trained Users during special events, in addition to any university owned and operated AEDs and associated NIU designated and trained staff.

Illinois Good Samaritan Act

Under the Illinois Good Samaritan Act (745 ILCS 49/12), anyone who uses an AED (regardless of whether they are trained as a CPR/AED Trainer User) to provide emergency medical care in good faith and without fee or compensation is not liable for any civil damages as a result of any act or omission, except for willful or wanton misconduct. However, it is recommended that departments in which AEDs are located have a minimum of one employee trained to use the AED as best practice. All university employees are considered volunteers (except those who are trained medical professionals and/or those staff are expected to assume such responsibilities as required by their respective job duties) when rendering assistance to any individual suffering a medical emergency.

Post AED Event Procedures

An AED Utilization Form must be completed every time an AED is deployed during a medical emergency. The AED Coordinator is responsible for the collection of information and completion of the AED Utilization Form. The AED Coordinator shall submit the completed AED Utilization Form to the AED Program Facilitator so the AED Program Facilitator can submit to the EMS System Resource Hospital within 24 hours of the incident.

When an AED is operated in a medical emergency the unit must be removed from service after use as the data collected must be submitted to the EMS System Resource Hospital to facilitate patient medical response procedures.

Following the completion of all necessary paperwork, the AED Program Facilitator will inspect and decontaminate the AED as well as replace the pads and battery before returning the AED to the AED Coordinator to be returned to service.

Responders/rescuers and assisting personnel are encouraged to contact the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) following the use of an AED for a well-being check. Exposure to traumatic scenes and situations can lead to symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Specialized trauma treatment from an experienced clinician can help alleviate emotional upheaval and make a big difference in maintaining emotional wellness.

Recordkeeping Requirements

Inspection, testing, and maintenance records shall be maintained in accordance with manufacturer instructions. Training records shall be maintained for two years. All other records, including those associated with AED use or post-event debriefings, shall be maintained indefinitely.

Program Evaluation

The AED Program Administrator will conduct a periodic Policy review in collaboration with other program stakeholders, most notably Athletics and Police/Public Safety to ensure the Policy meets applicable compliance requirements and compliments university operations. Program evaluation also includes conducting periodic compliance assessments performed by the AED Program Administrator to ensure AEDs are being properly serviced and maintained.

• Cardiac Arrest Survival Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-634, Title IV)
• Illinois Automated External Defibrillator Act (410 ILCS 4)
• Automated External Defibrillator Code (77 IAC Part 525)
• Physical Fitness Facility Medical Emergency Preparedness Act (210 ILCS 74)
• Good Samaritan Act (745 ILCS 49)
• NIU Health and Safety Policy