Published
One thing to remember is that Assisted-Living Communities might be considered a medical facility. That might cause AED's to be considered a medical device that requires a physician's order to use. In the normal community, AED's are considered Good Samaritan devices, and the lay public can use them with the same legal liability that they would suffer when performing CPR when indicated. I personally am a big fan of the AED, they work exactly when they are supposed to because of the computer programs that distinguish very quickly shockable rhythms. And they work amazingly well for what they're supposed to.
emerjensee
77 Posts
I just completed my ACLS class today and had to go to work immediately after. I work in an Assisted Living Community that has about 200 apartments, 1/2 at least are Independent Residents.
I was all pumped up and feeling great after passing the class and getting my card and when I got there, I asked the front desk about if we had any AED's in the building.
(I'm a little ashamed I've been working there for a while now and really didn't think about it. I guess I assumed we had one?)
Well the front desk directed me to the maintenance manager and he said we didn't have any! I was totally dumbfounded!! I proceeded to speak to the Executive Director in her office and she really had no excuse why we shouldn't have one.
So I'm going to attend a monthly safety meeting on Thursday and plead my case as to why we should have at least ONE AED available to our senior community. This will make its way to corporate and hopefully I'm convincing enough...
What are your thoughts? Obviously its not mandated by law, but I mean jeez, if McDonalds has AED's why shouldn't a community who primarily serves seniors (60+) have them???
-emerjensee