Cayman government contracts AED link system

(CNS): In an effort to have a quicker response to people suffering sudden heart attacks the government has contracted a Florida based firm to provide a service that will lead to rapid deployment of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) during a cardiac emergency. Atrus, Inc., will be providing its AED Link which gives nearby AED location information to 9-1-1 dispatchers so they can guide a caller to the closest AED in the event someone has a heart attack. The system will also instantly notify volunteer public responders affiliated with those AEDs to bring their defibrillator to the scene. Dr. Sook Yin, Medical Director of the Cayman Heart Fund said that in a cardiac emergency  time is the critical determinant in the victim’s survival.

“By immediately identifying if one of these life-saving devices is available, we can direct someone to quickly retrieve and use it prior to the arrival of our EMS professionals. Having the ability to notify a person with an AED nearby gives us an additional response which is especially important if there is only one bystander,” she said.

The Cayman Heart Fund is going to provide a customized version of Atrus’ National AED Registry for AED owners to register their devices into the system. The “Cayman Heart AED Registry” will be a free AED program management service that will generate regular email reminders for owners to periodically check the device to ensure it is in working order. Registered users will also receive reminders to replace electrode pads and batteries which are nearing expiration date, thus making sure the AEDs are in working order.
Cayman Heart Fund Chairman David Dinner said alongside the benefit to public safety the service will offer updated SCA/AED information and automatic notifications to make sure machines are maintained and comply with current regulations.

Atrus President and CEO, Elliot Fisch, said publicly available AEDs are not often used in emergencies because people can’t see them and don’t know where they are but with the new service 911 dispatchers will be able to identify the nearest defibrillator within 1,200 feet of a victim and direct those at the scene.

“Our current Emergency Medical Dispatch program provides for our telecommunicators to ask specific questions to assist responding EMS personnel arrive at the patient’s location quickly and safely,” said Cayman Islands Government’s Director of Public Safety Communications, Brent Finster .

“In a cardiac arrest situation, we ask the caller if they have an AED nearby. Now, with AED Link, we will not only know exactly where the closest AED is located, but we will also be able to automatically notify a trained volunteer responder to go get their AED and bring it to the patient’s location. This will save lives.”

The system and registry are expected to be available next month, officials said.