Mission Statement
Mission Statement for HeartSafe Linn County, Iowa - Our Mission is to regionally help more people survive Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) by having a community-wide HeartSafe program that supports and promotes early CPR and early defibrillation through public Automated External Defibrillator (AED) use.
What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)?
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a leading cause of death in the United States and world. Sudden Cardiac Arrest is a sudden and unexpected abnormal heart rhythm that is life-threatening and stops blood from flowing to the brain and other vital organs. More than 350,000 people on average (which includes over 7,000 children) in the United States will experience SCA and 90% of these people die per national averages. This SCA death toll is more than all Alzheimers, assault with firearms, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, diabetes, HIV, house fires, motor vehicle accidents, prostate cancer and suicides combined. When bystanders intervene by giving CPR and using AEDs before EMS arrives, survival rates increase to 40% or greater. Rapid defibrillation (shock by an AED) through AED use and CPR are critical for survival rates to improve and with every minute that passes a 10% decreased chance of survival is documented to occur. SCA affects any age, any gender and any race. Unlike many other medical conditions, survival from SCA depends on immediate intervention by bystanders or designated first responders on scene; immediately performing at least hands only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) on the affected person and using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) as soon as possible. ( http://www.sca-aware.org/for-the-media) Call 724-934-0034 or email media@sca-aware.org for immediate interviews.
What is CPR and can I perform CPR without any liability or hurting someone?
CPR is CardioPulmonary Resuscitation, a lifesaving technique useful when someone has stopped breathing and their heart is not beating normally. CPR can be done by untrained persons as hands only CPR per the diagrams and instructions attached. Hands only CPR by untrained rescuers has been proven to save lives and is effective until EMS arrival, especially versus no delivery of CPR and death. Cedar Rapids Police 9-1-1 dispatchers have successfully coached untrained persons in CPR with their Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) system and saved 4 lives in the past year. Untrained persons can place their hands on the center of the chest, generally between the nipples and perform continual uninterrupted chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 beats per minute and at a depth of 2-2.4 inches into the chest with full recoil between compressions. Performing CPR on a person that is not breathing and not responsive is protected by Good Samaritan laws and there is not any personal liability that can result. Performing CPR on a person that is not breathing and not responsive is necessary to try to prevent brain death from their heart not beating correctly or from SCA. CPR training classes are performed throughout Linn County and taking a CPR class is encouraged to improve CPR skills and effectiveness of CPR.
What is an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and can I use one?
An AED is a portable device with prompts that is approved by the FDA and is safe for bystanders or non-medical untrained lay rescuers (pre-EMS arrival) to use on persons outside the hospital that are not breathing and unresponsive. The AED is easily turned on and adhesive pads are then applied by rescuers to 2 areas of the chest, following pictures on the pads and prompts provided by the AED. The AED then prompts rescuers on what to do, including standing clear and not touching the person to pressing a shock button, if needed. The AED prompts on CPR instructions and often provides a CPR metronome or CPR feedback to improve CPR quality, increasing survival rates from SCA and heart-related emergencies.
What does the term HeartSafe program mean when you say “HeartSafe Linn County, Iowa"?
HeartSafe program initiatives are very simple and effective and they were initially introduced and criteria established by the American Heart Association (AHA). HeartSafe programs support the “cardiac chain of survival” reinforced by the American Heart Association. The cardiac chain of survival is a sequence of steps that must occur quickly to give the person or patient the best chances of surviving a SCA-related event. The steps include: early access to care and calling 911, early CPR, early defibrillation (AED use), and early advanced care arrival (EMS/Hospital). HeartSafe programs encourage communities, workplaces, public entities, schools, healthcare organizations and professionals, as well as citizens, to all work together and play their part in preventing SCA-related deaths. Once a proper HeartSafe community program is established, survival rates sky rocket and many lives are saved that previously would have been lost.
Who is HeartSafe Linn County, Iowa?
HeartSafe Linn County, Iowa is a committee of members from the healthcare community in Linn County that have assembled to promote and support the recent Linn County, Iowa HeartSafe designation by The HeartSafe Foundation (www.heartsafefoundation.org). The Linn County community has received a “Five Heart” best practice designation by The HeartSafe Foundation. Five Heart programs represent all five aspects of a best practice HeartSafe program including: Frequent & Readily Available CPR & AED Training & Education Programs; Encourage Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) AED placements to allow immediate AED use under 2-4 minutes from time of collapse; Noted Advanced Care Life Support (ACLS) Focus and Designated First Responder Involvement; Updated AED Location & Maintenance Technology Focus & Involvement; and Mobile Technology Focus & Involvement. Committee members include
Problem Identified by HeartSafe Linn County, Iowa
Where are the AEDs that we are trying to encourage being used? The longer it takes for defibrillation, the less likely the person is to survive. Studies and the recent 2015 national and international CPR science standards committees (ECC in the US and ILCOR in Europe) have updated guidelines to recommend communities to implement public access defibrillator (PAD) programs. Guidelines specify that PAD programs allow use of social media and location-aware mobile applications to quickly find AEDs and see the nearest AED locations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7hbs4Ubw2k
Solution proposed by HeartSafe Linn County, Iowa
HeartSafe Linn County, Iowa is using a mobile application software program developed by Think Safe called HeartSafe to build a more comprehensive Automated External Defibrillator (AED) registry within Linn County, Iowa. HeartSafe allows adding and placing AEDs on a public map by GPS coordinates (“Place It”) so that users of HeartSafe can find the closest nearby public AED. The mobile application is provided at no cost by Think Safe and is a free service. The mobile application is location-aware software that shows the nearest 10 public AEDs that have been registered. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/heartsafe/id1270799072?mt=8 HeartSafe is an app with unique patented features that is changing the transparency and improving compliance of Public and/or Private Access Defibrillator (PAD) programs worldwide. HeartSafe Linn County, Iowa is improving the local PAD program by improving knowledge on where AED lifesaving devices are located (building a comprehensive local registry) by using the HeartSafe Mobile application.
How can you help immediately?
Help identify where public AEDs are located in Linn County, Iowa. Download the HeartSafe mobile application and register AEDs that do not appear on the map and have not been registered. Remember that only the nearest 10 AEDs show up, to prevent cluttering of the map. If you see AEDs show up that are farther away and do not see the AED located in front of you, click on the “+” icon on the top right menu bar of the mobile application.
How do I download the mobile application and what device does it work on?
The HeartSafe mobile application is compatible with both the Google / Android and Apple / iOS devices. The mobile application can be downloaded from the iTunes / App Store or from Google Play. Any iOS device (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch) requires 10.2 or later versions of software and any Android device requires 4.0.3 or later versions for compatibility and use with HeartSafe. The HeartSafe mobile application works on any device other than a smart watch.
How do I add an AED using the mobile application?
The HeartSafe app main header menu has a “+” icon to add AEDs. Press “+” and simply fill in the provided fields. Take a picture of the AED and then select or press “Place It” to add the AED to the community PAD program registry.
Can I register my AED on a website versus a mobile device?
You may also add an AED using the provided website: http://www.heartsafefoundation.org/add_aed
What if I have a list of AEDs to add to the Linn County, Iowa, Iowa AED registry? Can I have someone upload them for me?
Any AED coordinator that has multiple AEDs for upload should contact Paula Wickham at 319-377-5125 or cullrich@think-safe.com for a free upload of your AEDs into HeartSafe for Linn County, Iowa regions by worksheet (.xls or .csv). Think Safe will upload all provided worksheets at no charge as a free community service.
How can you help if you see someone collapse and who is not breathing normally, and is unresponsive?
SCA victims need immediate help and waiting for designated first responders (Police, Sheriff, etc) or EMS to arrive at the scene can lead to delays in care and reduce the chances for survival. Citizens of Linn County must learn to act quickly and effectively and can save a life by:
- Decide to help.
- Call 9-1-1 or assign someone to call 9-1-1 (be specific when assigning it to a person).
- Get the AED and use it or assign someone to get the AED, if one is nearby (use the HeartSafe app to find a public AED).
- Start CPR. (see attached art from our back of business cards that are Hands Only)
