Guidance for completing the Scottish Ambulance Service Public Access Defibrillator Application Form 1
The vision of the Scottish Ambulance Service set out in our strategy; Working Together for Better Patient Care is to deliver the best patient care for people in Scotland, when they need us, where they need us. Working to support and promote community resilience is important to finding sustainable solutions to the challenges of delivering that vision. Our primary role is to deliver an emergency and urgent care response and clinical care transport for communities across Scotland. While we have world class response times in Scotland, we know that in responses to certain conditions, every second counts: e.g. cardiac arrest, hyper acute stroke. Having reviewed the approach to community resilience in countries such as France and Norway it s clear that equipping communities with equipment and basic life-saving skills will save lives. We therefore recognise the benefits in helping communities to develop their own resilience. The Chain of Survival In 1990 Dr Richard Cummins from Seattle, USA discovered if a series of events took place, in a set sequence, a patient suffering from a heart attack stood a greater chance of survival. These events are now known as the 'Chain of Survival' Early Recognition & Call for help Early CPR Early Defibrillation Early Advanced Care 2
Early Recognition and Call for help Calling 999 when necessary is the first important link in the Chain of Survival Early CPR Many members of the public are trained in the delivery of Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) When you call 999, an Emergency Call Handler can provide CPR instructions to the caller to perform life saving skills while an Ambulance crew is responding to the call. Early Defibrillation AED stands for "Automatic External Defibrillator" and can also be referred to as a, shock box. An AED is used to administer an electric shock to a person who is having a cardiac arrest. AED's are designed to allow non-medical personnel to save lives. AED's can also be referred to a Public Access Defibrillators (PAD) if they are made accessible in a location for public use. A defibrillator or AED will be referred to as PAD throughout this guidance document as the proposed defibrillators will be publicly accessible. With the growing number of PAD sites throughout Scotland, it was recognised by the Scottish Ambulance Service that there was an opportunity to ensure that potential rescuers are aware of the location of the PAD. The Scottish Ambulance Service Automated External Defibrillator (AED) mapping policy will allow the Service to map all current PADs onto the national Ambulance Control Centre, command and control system within a controlled and sustainable framework. The PAD information will be displayed to an Emergency Call Handler during a 999 call, if a PAD is within a set radius of the location of the patient. In the event of a call when the patient is in cardiac arrest, the Call Handler can provide instructions of where the defibrillator is to the caller and provide instructions in its use. It is important that the first two links of the Chain of Survival are in place before a caller is advised to locate a PAD. An ambulance resource will always be dispatched while these instructions are provided to the caller. Early Advanced Care Post resuscitation care from an Ambulance crew and Specialist Cardiac Hospital care. 3
Public Access Defibrillator Application Process The Scottish Government funding of 100,000 has allowed the Scottish Ambulance Service to purchase a number of defibrillators and cabinets to deploy across the country, providing local communities with life saving equipment and training. An application process and selection criteria has been developed to ensure that the defibrillators will be located in areas where they are likely to deliver the most benefit for patients and can be properly maintained, for example; remote and rural areas and also areas of high footfall. The electronic application process for PADs will be open from: Friday 10th October 2014 until Sunday 23rd November 2014 http://www.scottishambulance.com/yourcommunity/aedscottishgovernmentfunding. aspx Postal applications will be open from: Friday 10th October 2014 until Sunday 30 th November 2014 For postal applications, please send your completed form to the following address: Public Access Defibrillator Application Process, F.A.O. Andrew Johnson, Scottish Ambulance Service National Headquarters 1 South Gyle Crescent Edinburgh EH12 9EB The outcome of each application will be advised in writing to each applicant as early as possible. In the unlikely event that not all PADs are placed during this process, The Scottish Ambulance Service will take responsibility for identifying suitable locations for any which are unallocated. 4
How we will use your information We will only use the information you supply in the Defibrillator Application form to process your application and to monitor application statistics. Personal information about unsuccessful applications will be held for 12 months after the application process has been completed, it will then be destroyed or deleted. We may retain de-personalised statistical information about applications, but no individuals are identifiable from that data. Once a defibrillator has been placed, we will compile a file relating to the installation including the applicant s details. The information contained in this will be kept secure and will only be used for purposes directly relevant to that defibrillator. If the defibrillator is removed, we will retain the file in accordance with the requirements of our retention schedule and then delete it. If your application is successful: The local Community Resuscitation Development Officer (CRDO) from the Service will contact you to discuss next steps. Important information will be discussed with you: PAD Training: The Resuscitation Council (UK) advise that: Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are designed to be used by members of the public, and are very effective at guiding the operator through the process of administering the shock. They have become widely available, are safe and easy to use, and will not allow a shock to be given to a victim who does not require one. The successful organisation or community group will identify members to undertake defibrillator training to increase awareness of the location of the defibrillator and also how and when it should be used. Defibrillator Mapping: The following is for information only and will be discussed in closer detail with successful applicants. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is an agreement which will be in place between the Service and PAD site organisation or community group to define the responsibilities of both parties. The responsibility for accessibility, signposting and 5
maintenance of the defibrillator lies with the site owner. The MoU will be signed between the Service and the site owner before the PAD can be mapped onto our Ambulance Control Centre system. When a PAD is mapped onto the system, the PAD information will be displayed to an Emergency Call Handler during a 999 call if it is within an agreed distance of the patient. In the event of a call when the patient is in cardiac arrest, the call taker can provide instructions of where the PAD is to the caller and provide instructions in its use. At least one local site guardian will be identified by the community group or organisation to complete monthly defibrillator checks. If the monthly checks and agreed requirements are not adhered to, the PAD will be removed from the Control Centre system. Maintenance of the Defibrillator: Users of an AED are not expected to carry out any maintenance tasks other than replacing expired batteries, electrode pads, and other consumable items (razor, airway adjuncts, plastic gloves). Even then, the shelf-life of these (unused) is usually 3-5 years, so any maintenance tasks are infrequent. In all cases the manufacturer s instructions should be followed. All currently available AEDs perform regular selfchecks and if a problem is detected it will be indicated. In most cases they show this by a warning sign or light visible on the front of the machine. The above information is contained in A Guide to AEDs which is produced by the BHF and Resuscitation Council (UK) 2013 and can be found at http://www.scottishambulance.com/yourcommunity/aed.aspx The replacement of expired batteries, electrode pads, consumable items and the eventual replacement of the defibrillator as required will be the responsibility of the PAD site owner. Storage of the PAD: If an organisation or community group secures a cabinet from the Scottish Ambulance Service, the cost of installation and an electricity supply will be paid by the PAD site. Further advice and information can be provided by the Service. Many community groups have received sponsorship from their local communities to fund this cost. If your application is unsuccessful: 6
The Scottish Ambulance Service will contact you to discuss the support and advice we can offer your community group or organisation to explore other options which may assist you in the purchase and placement of a defibrillator. Public Access Defibrillator Application Questions Section 1 Applicant Details Questions 1 to 4 This section allows you to provide contact details such as name and address for the main applicant. We may need to contact you if we would like to discuss your application. Please ensure that all contact information is complete and please specify your preferred method for us to contact you on. We have also asked for your community group or organisation details. Please choose which category describes best who you are applying on behalf of. If this does not apply, please provide further information in question 14. Section 2 PAD Location Questions 5 to 7 Please provide the proposed location details for a PAD in your organisation or community. PLEASE NOTE: If applying for more than one defibrillator, an individual application needs to be completed for each one. Please also note in question 14 of each application if this is the case. The Scottish Ambulance would recommend 24/7 availability and access to each Public Access Defibrillator, but appreciate that this is not always possible as many 7
defibrillators are placed within local businesses which have set opening hours. Questions 6 and 7 allow for you to advise of the proposed availability of a PAD in your suggested location. Section 3 PAD Storage Questions 8 and 9 The proposed PAD location within your building will determine whether it will be stored inside or outside of the building. A PAD can be stored in a cabinet in an internal or external location. An external location will allow for a greater accessibility and increase availability to the public. The cabinet will require installation and an electricity supply; to ensure that the defibrillator is kept in a suitable temperature, as this can affect the battery life and function of the PAD. The box will also have a light to ensure it is easily identified for use. The Service has a limited number of cabinets available. Please advise in question 9 if you would like to be considered for one of these cabinets. The cost of installation and an electricity supply will be the responsibility of the organisation or community group. Section 4 Existing PAD sites in your area Questions 10 to 13 This section will help us to ensure that PADs are placed in locations where they are likely to have the biggest benefit to patients. It also lets us make sure the Service is aware of as the PADs in your area. If you have answered no to question number 10, please proceed to question 14 in the next section. If you have answered yes, please try to provide as much information as possible about the location of the existing PADs. If there are more available than space allows for you to answer, please list the space provided for question number 14. Section 5 Supporting Information 8
Question 14 Please state what you see as the reasons of need for a defibrillator in your chosen location, i.e. the town or location does not have an ambulance. Please briefly outline any supporting information that you feel may support your application. Section 6 PAD Training Question 15 The Scottish Ambulance Service will work with partners to support PAD training for your organisation or community group members. This section provides the opportunity for you to identify if there is willingness in your community for this to take place. Section 7 PAD Sustainability Question 16 As discussed in page 3 of this guidance document, there is a requirement for an organisation or community group to enter into an agreement with the Scottish Ambulance Service known as a Memorandum of Understanding. (MoU) The organisation or community group will be required to identify at least one person to complete monthly PAD checks which will be recorded with the Service. Part of the agreement is that the replacement of PAD consumables and the eventual replacement of the defibrillator will be responsibility of the community and not of the Scottish Ambulance Service. There is a requirement for the site to put plans in place to ensure that these can be replaced if and when required. Section 8 - Declaration 9
Question 17 I certify that the information supplied on this form is accurate and correct I agree to the PAD details being logged on the Scottish Ambulance Service, Ambulance Control Centre systems as outlined within the guidance notes I agree to identify a designated person within the community to be responsible for monthly PAD checks To sign and abide by the Memorandum of Understanding agreement with the Scottish Ambulance Service Question 18 Please provide an email address that you would like a copy of your form to be sent to. If you have submitted a postal application, please specify your address for a copy of your form to be sent to. Glossary of Terms 10
AED AED stands for "Automatic External Defibrillator" and can also be referred to as a, shock box. An AED is used to administer an electric shock to a person who is having a cardiac arrest. AED's are designed to allow non-medical personnel to save lives. AED's can also be referred to a Public Access Defibrillators (PAD) if they are made accessible in a location for public use. AED/PAD Mapping AED locations placed onto the Ambulance Control Centre system. The PAD information will be displayed to an Emergency Call Handler during a 999 call if it is within an agreed distance of the patient. In the event of a call when the patient is in cardiac arrest, the call taker can provide instructions of where the PAD is to the caller and provide instructions in its use. Ambulance Control Centre (ACC) Scottish Ambulance Service control rooms which answer and respond to all emergency and non emergency calls which the Service receives. Cardiac Arrest A cardiac arrest happens when your heart stops pumping blood around the body. You lose consciousness almost at once and have no other signs of life such as breathing or movement. Community First Responder Groups A group of members of the public who volunteer to respond to medical emergencies while an ambulance is on its way Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) A signed agreement between two parties; A memorandum of Understanding will be in place between the Scottish Ambulance Service and an organisation or community group to ensure that monthly PAD checks are in place for the PAD to be mapped onto the Ambulance Control Centre system. PAD Public Access Defibrillator (See definition of AED above) 11