According to the American Heart Association, over 300,000 sudden cardiac arrests (SCA) occur annually in the U.S., and according to OSHA, about 10,000 occur at work. For many companies who set out to improve the health and safety of their workforce by implementing an Automated External Defibrillation (AED) program, it’s often easier to set up a defibrillator program than it is to maintain and keep the program as vibrant as it was when it started. While it is rare that an SCA will occur in the workplace, sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, at any time, so having an AED and employees prepared to respond can make the difference if a sudden cardiac arrest occurs.
While choosing a defibrillator and setting up your AED program require diligence, a few simple steps will help you maximize your program’s effectiveness and ensure it will perform should the need arise.