Annual statement on university owned Automated External Defibrillators (AED)

From: Virginia Tech Police Department

Virginia Tech is committed to the health and safety of its students, faculty, staff and visitors.  One of the ways Virginia Tech demonstrates this through the widespread deployment of Automated External Defibrillators (AED) throughout the Blacksburg campus.  While the use of an AED does not replace the care provided by EMS, it can potentially provide a lifesaving bridge during the first critical minutes of a sudden cardiac arrest event.

The university’s AED program is coordinated by the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad (VTRS) with assistance from the Virginia Tech Police Department (VTPD) and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS). 

Responsibilities of the VTRS include:

·      Monitoring developments in emergency response, health care practices and technology to ensure AED installation, maintenance, and policies are consistent with best practices and comply with all federal and state laws.

·      Select, coordinate, operate and manage all fixed-installation AEDs.

·      Conduct prescribed functional testing and remove unapproved, non-conforming or non-functioning devices.

·      Provide technical assistance to departments preparing proposals to purchase and AED.

·      Conduct general maintenance to include battery and pad replacement on approved AEDs.

·      Coordinate AED training courses in concert with EHS.

·      Respond to the scene of any use of an AED and work with all individuals involved in the incident and response to complete a formal report of AED use.

Responsibilities of departments utilizing AED within their space:

·      Comply with University Policy 5450.

·      Coordinate AED purchase and placement of new or existing AEDs with VTRS.

·      Register all AEDs with VTRS.

·      Submit proposals to VTRS for the purchase and placement of new AEDs

·      Purchase replacement AED once unit reaches “end of life” cycle.

·      Work with facilities to return areas to original condition when fixed AEDs are removed permanently.

·      Obtain written exception when purchasing or installing AED that is outside of VTRS recommendations.

AED locations outside the Blacksburg campus:

·      Comply with University Policy 5450.

·      Register AEDs purchased and installed on location. 

·      Submit proposals for the purchase and placement of new AEDs.

·      Conduct periodic testing to ensure AED is functional and take out of service all non-functioning devices.

·      Conduct general maintenance to include battery and pad replacement on approved AEDs.

·      Purchase battery and pad replacements at prescribed time.

·      Purchase replacement AED once unit reaches “end of life” cycle.

·      Obtain written exception when purchasing or installing AED that is outside of VTRS recommendations.

It is recommended that departments that have AEDs located in their area of responsibility review University Policy 5450, in its entirety.

Note that the university does not provide funding centrally to purchase AEDs, batteries or pads.  VTRS is currently providing battery and pad replacement on approved Zoll AED 3 units.

As the program grows, the university continues to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the program.  For questions regarding the AED program, please contact the VTRS AED coordinator at vtrsaed@vt.edu.