SLO County’s French Hospital Distributes Automated External Defibrillators
Jarrod Zinn
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – February is American Heart Month.
French Hospital in SLO County is launching a new program to distribute Automated External Defibrillators, or AED’s.
They’ll be given to local businesses.
The Harold J. Miossi Charitable Trust awarded a grant of $28,000 to the hospital foundation for the purchase of 20 AED units.
“An AED is an Automated External Defibrillator,” says Greg Larsen, RN, assistant nurse manager of emergency services at French Hospital Medical Center. “It is a medical device that is easy to use, and it’s made to be used by, anybody, even those with limited medical training.”
They’ll be distributed to businesses in the city of San Luis Obispo.
“We carry around a computer every day in our pocket, right?” says Jessica Bower, senior director of nursing for the Cardiovascular and Perioperative Services at Central Coast Cardiovascular Services. “So to see that extended into the health care where our neighbors, anybody that picks one of these up, you literally unzip the box that is like a lunch box, lay it next to your patient and push the power button.”
Medical professionals say heart disease is the leading cause of death in California, and over 80% of heart attacks happen away from hospitals.
Cardiac arrest survival rates drop by 7 to 10% every minute defibrillation is delayed.
“As a former paramedic and, registered nurse in the emergency department, I’ve personally been involved in many cardiac arrests,” says Larsen. “And I’ve seen firsthand how early CPR and use of an AED in the field can improve outcomes for patients.”
The program provides an AED unit, all the necessary accessories, and training, free of charge.
“Our little slogan in the CV program is, ‘Time is muscle,’” says Bower. “And so every quick step or quick thing that we do makes for a better outcome for anybody that this occurs.”
For more information or to see if your business qualifies, the online form can be filled out at French Hospital Medical Center’s website by clicking here.
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