Ventura County Grand Jury • 2001-2002

The Need for Automatic Electronic Defi brillators in Ventura County

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Findings and Recommendations 12 findings

F1
According to American Heart Association statistics, cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in United States. There are over 480,000 deaths each year from heart attacks and the complications from those heart attacks. Over half, or 250,000, of those are from Sudden Cardiac Death. There are more victims of Sudden Cardiac Death than there are of lung cancer, breast cancer and AIDS combined.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
Sudden Cardiac Death typically occurs within the fi rst one to two hours following a heart attack, before the victim arrives at a hospital. Sudden Cardiac Death, in most adult victims, is from ventricular fi brillation. Ven- tricular fi brillation is a chaotic quivering of the heart muscle, which ren- ders the pumping action of the heart useless.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
Children and teenagers can also be stricken with life threatening and life ending disruptions of cardiac rhythm. Though the AED is not recom- mended for use on young children, there are AED units on high school campuses throughout the country. They are on stand-by for use on campus and at sporting event locations in the event they may be needed for these adult sized young people. Health, Education and Welfare 3-1 Final Report 2001-2002 Ventura County Grand Jury
No recommendations for this finding
F4
The only treatment for ventricular fi brillation is an administered shock called defi brillation. American Heart Association studies show Car- diopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), prompt defi brillation and timely transport to a hospital setting greatly increase the chance of survival. For each minute that defi brillation is delayed, the chance of survival is reduced by 7-10%. Defi brillation administered within the fi rst fi ve minutes after the onset of ventricular fi brillation increases the chance of survival by 50%. The survival rate is enhanced further if CPR has been administered.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
American Heart Association studies have shown that the cost to the taxpayer and/or to third party payers for a survivor of Sudden Cardiac Death is less than the expenses incurred for the post operative treat- ment of a cardiac transplant patient or for the monies expended for individuals on most cholesterol lowering medications.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
There are AEDs available for as little as $2,700.00 per unit. Additional costs are incurred to maintain equipment and train qualifi ed operators.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
All acute care medical facilities within Ventura County are equipped with defi brillators, which are not AEDs. All paramedic units within this County are equipped with defi brillators, which are not AEDs. Most of those units require a knowledge and interpretation of cardiac rhythm and disturbances before they can be safely used.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
The AED uses computer technology to analyze the cardiac rhythm and tell the trained operator when to use the machine appropriately. Therefore, the layperson does not have to be knowledgeable of cardiac rhythm to defi brillate a victim of Sudden Cardiac Death.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
The City of Thousand Oaks has 12 AEDs in place throughout their com- munity and has trained over 120 employee-volunteers to operate the equipment. Their forward thinking program was initiated in 1999. To date one life has been saved. Their commitment is serious and thor- ough. Maintenance of the defi brillator equipment and continuing educa- tion of the operators is ongoing. Locations of the Thousand Oaks’ AEDs include the library, the senior citizens’ center, the city hall, the civic auditorium and Los Robles Golf Course.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
Leisure Village in Camarillo was one of the fi rst in the County to utilize AEDs. There are three defi brillator units at Leisure Village. Two are kept in the security vehicles that patrol the community; one is in the recreation center. Both security and recreation center staff are trained to use the equipment. It is the Grand Jury’s understanding that the AEDs at Leisure Village have been utilized many times since their introduction in 1998.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
There are an unknown number of AED units throughout the County at various business locations.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
Initiate the widespread placement of AEDs and CPR trained operators throughout all county and city facilities where large numbers of people or ‘at risk’ citizens congregate. Locations for consideration would include city halls, courthouses, jails, auditoriums, libraries, senior citizens’ centers, high schools and golf courses, as well as units available for use at concerts, fairs and other large events.
R3
The city and county governing bodies initiate an incentive program which would encourage the purchase of AED units and the training of employees in their use at business locations throughout the County.
F12
In January 2002, the Ventura County Emergency Medical System received funding from the Tobacco Settlement Program to purchase 50 AED units and train personnel in the use of those units through- 2001-2002 Ventura County Grand Jury Final Report out Ventura County. The Emergency Medical System is also attempting to identify all of the AED units located at private businesses in the County to insure proper training of operators and systematic maintenance of equip- ment. Conclusions C-1. The technology of today provides the ability to save lives. Thousands could be saved if AEDs and trained operators were available in facilities and areas where large numbers of people congregate. (F-1 through F-10) C-2. By having AEDs readily available and the AED operators additionally trained in CPR, precious minutes toward survival can be gained prior to the arrival of advanced life support providers (fi re, police personnel and paramedics) and precedent to emergency room treatment. (F-1 through F-10) C-3. Considering the potential benefi t to be derived from planned and wide- spread placement of AED units throughout the County, the cost of the defi - brillators is certainly reasonable; their value in terms of a human life saved is inestimable. (F-5, F-6) C-4. While there are some fi ne examples of recognizing the need for AEDs and of their utilization within Ventura County, there is a defi nite need for more units throughout the County. (F-9 through F-12) C-5. In the future, the liability to municipalities and certain ‘at risk’ locations for not having AEDs and trained AED operators could be a serious consider- ation. (F-1 through F-12) Recommendations
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Support the Ventura County Emergency Medical System’s attempt to coor- dinate the utilization and training required for the proper use of AEDs throughout the County.

Conclusions 1

Commendations 19

No Responses Found 14

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

Camarillo City
County of Ventura Agency
Fillmore City
Moorpark City
Ojai City
Oxnard City
Port Hueneme City
San Buenaventura City
Santa Paula City
Simi Valley City
Thousand Oaks City
Ventura County Board of Supervisors Elected County Office
Ventura County County Superintendent of Schools Elected County Office
Ventura County Sheriff Elected County Office