Vanderbilt University Medical Center AED & Manual Defibrillator Program

The Resuscitation Committee Physician Chairman provides medical direction for the AED/Manual Defibrillator Program. The AED/Manual Defibrillator Program is managed by the Resuscitation Program. All areas of Vanderbilt Health are responsible for communicating with the Resuscitation Program regarding training of staff assigned to areas with AEDs or manual defibrillators, notification when equipment is used or moved, or any questions regarding the AED/Manual Defibrillator Program.

**AEDs purchased for the Vanderbilt University campus are covered under the Vanderbilt University policies and the Vanderbilt University AED Program, separate from this policy.**

How to Purchase an AED or Manual Defibrillator for your Department

• Contact the Resuscitation Program to apply for approval. All AED and manual defibrillator purchases must be approved by the Resuscitation Program Manager.
• Once approval is granted, contact Medical Supply Sourcing (615-322-5654) to coordinate the purchase. All costs associated with the purchase, supplies, and maintenance of the device are the sole responsibility of the purchasing department. For AEDs, the purchasing department is also responsible for the initial and ongoing costs of signage, enclosure cabinets, audible alarms, and alarm connections to the VUMC Plant Services Delta Office.
• The AED or manual defibrillator will be delivered to Clinical Engineering who inventories the device and performs an initial inspection.
• Once the installation guidelines are met, the device is deployed into service.

Installation Guidelines

Before the AED can be deployed into service, the installation guidelines must be met and the Resuscitation Program will verify that the appropriate staff have been trained in the use of the device and understand the reporting and inspection requirements.

For AEDs placed in VUMC public areas (both on and off the main campus):

1. The AED is placed in a location with easy access for building occupants.
2. The AED is placed in a cabinet that meets current Vanderbilt standards for use with an AED and includes an audible alarm that sounds when the cabinet door is opened. For AEDs on the main campus, the AED alarm must also be connected to VUMC Plant Services Delta Office.
3. Signage is posted clearly marking the unit's location. AED signs must be purchased from Jarvis Sign Company (Contact Erik Avelar; phone: 615-865-6062; email: erik@jarvissigns.com).

For AEDs placed in any VUMC clinical areas:

1. The Resuscitation Program will work with the department manager to determine the appropriate location, signage, and Emergency Response Plan for the department.

AED Inspection, Reporting, and Maintenance

All AEDs must be inspected according to the AED Equipment Checklist. Responsibility for inspection and reporting is as follows:

• For AEDs purchased by a specific area, department, or clinic, the AED owner or AED designated owner is responsible for inspecting and reporting on AED use.
• For AEDs in general public areas on the main hospital campus, LifeFlight Ground Division is responsible for weekly inspection and reporting.
• AED checks are conducted as follows:

• Premedics Systems is our partner in making sure all of our AEDs are continuously ready for use.  Once per month, each AED responsible person is required to log on to the Premedics AED Manager website and update the status of their AED. This system also provides tracking for AED Pad Expiration Dates and Battery Install-by Dates and notifies the AED responsible person of upcoming expirations so that replacement supplies can be ordered ahead of time.  All AEDs are required to be registered in the Premedics AED Manager system.  Please contact Jeff Hileman to register a new AED.
• AED owners, AED designated owners, or the Resuscitation Program maintain the following records on-site in an AED Program Manual:
  • AED Registration Form
  • AED Equipment Checklists
  • AED Procedures
  • Training records
  • Manufacturer's instructions
• When an AED is used on the main hospital campus or an offsite area or clinic, Premedics Systems (877-367-3233) is notified as soon as possible by either the AED owner/AED designated owner, or by Delta Operations Center.
• AEDs placed throughout areas of Vanderbilt Health, including public areas, are inspected annually by the Clinical Engineering Department (615-322-3440).

Manual Defibrillator Inspection, Reporting, and Maintenance

• Daily checks of manual defibrillators are conducted as follows:

• Manual defibrillators placed throughout areas of Vanderbilt Health are inspected annually by the Clinical Engineering Department (615-322-3440).
• Spare manual defibrillators must remain connected to AC power for charging at all times. They must be inspected and tested before delivery to a patient care area.