4300 Automated External Defibrillator ("AED")

Responsible Official: 
Vice President for Facilities, Campus Development, and Sustainability
Responsible Office: 
Office of Facilities
Effective Date: 
November 4, 2008
Revision Date: 
July 6, 2022

Policy Sections

4300.1 Facilities’ Responsibilities

4300.2 Departmental Responsibilities

4300.3 Acquisition

4300.4 Deployment

4300.5 Athletics

Scope

Yale University is committed to the health and safety of its students, faculty, staff, other members of the Yale community, and visitors.  The purpose of this policy is to allow for safe maintenance and use of automated external defibrillators (“AED”) installed on campus.  University departments and other administrative units may acquire an AED with University approval.  If they do, they must comply with this policy.

Policy Statement

A. Standard

All AEDs on campus will satisfy applicable Connecticut law and guidance relating to the use and maintenance of AEDs.  An advisory committee of the Connecticut Office of Emergency Medical Services (“OEMS”) issued recommendations for training, inspection, maintenance, and oversight with respect to AED devices.

B. Good Samaritan Laws

Connecticut’s Good Samaritan statute, as amended by Public Act No. 09-59, provides immunity both to persons operating an AED to render emergency care and to persons or entities providing or maintaining AEDs for use in rendering emergency care.  Specifically, the amended statute provides, in relevant part:

A person operating an automatic external defibrillator, who, voluntarily and gratuitously and other than in the ordinary course of such person’s employment or practice, renders emergency medical or professional assistance to a person in need thereof, shall not be liable to such person assisted for civil damages for any personal injuries which result from acts or omissions by such person in rendering emergency care, which may constitute ordinary negligence.  A person or entity that provides or maintains an automatic external defibrillator shall not be liable for the acts or omissions of the person or entity in providing or maintaining the automatic external defibrillator, which may constitute ordinary negligence.  The immunity provided in this subsection does not apply to acts or omissions constituting gross, willful or wanton negligence.  With respect to the use of an automatic external defibrillator, the immunity provided in this subsection shall only apply to acts or omissions involving the use of an automatic external defibrillator in the rendering of emergency care.

This law was designed to encourage people to use AEDs to save lives by reducing or eliminating the fear that they could be held liable for ordinary negligence in rendering such care.

Reason for the Policy

Each year, more than 250,000 Americans die from sudden cardiac arrest.  According to medical experts, the key to survival is timely initiation of a “chain of survival,” including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (“CPR”).  An AED is used to treat victims who experience sudden cardiac arrest.  The AED must only be applied to victims who are unconscious, without a pulse, and not breathing.  Trained nonmedical personnel can use these simplified electronic machines to treat a person in cardiac arrest.  The American Heart Association notes that at least 20,000 lives could be saved annually by prompt use of AEDs.

Definitions

Automated External Defibrillator (“AED”)

A device used to treat victims who experience sudden cardiac arrest.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (“CPR”)

An emergency medical procedure for a victim in cardiac or respiratory arrest.  CPR involves physical interventions to create artificial circulation through rhythmic pressing on the patient’s chest to manually pump blood through the heart, called chest compressions.

Good Samaritan Laws

In the United States, are statutes or acts protecting from liability those who choose to aid others who are injured or ill.  They are intended to reduce bystanders’ hesitation to assist, for fear of being sued or prosecuted for unintentional injury or wrongful death.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest

The abrupt cessation of normal circulation of the blood due to failure of the heart to contract effectively during systole.

Policy Sections

4300.1 Facilities’ Responsibilities

  • In consultation with the University Safety Committee and Environmental Health & Safety (“EHS”), the Office of Facilities administers the AED program at Yale.
  • The Office of Facilities will review and approve the acquisition and placement of all AEDs in University owned and leased properties.
  • Advise on the manufacturer and unit type to be purchased or received by donation.
  • Evaluate and approve required AED/CPR training programs administered to responsible individuals.
  • Ensure that all AEDs are inspected according to the manufacturer’s guidelines as well as documenting and maintaining all inspection records for the lifetime of the equipment.
  • If an owner of an AED does not abide by this policy, the Office of Facilities has the authority to remove such device from service.

4300.2 Departmental Responsibilities

  • Purchase, installation, maintenance, and AED/CPR training costs for all assigned AEDs are supplied by the department.
  • Identify individual(s) who will be responsible for routine readiness checks of each assigned AED.  Identify individuals interested in volunteering for AED/CPR training in accordance with the standards set forth by the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association.
  • Identify suggested location(s) for new installations.

4300.3 Acquisition

  • Complete the online Form 4300 FR.01 Automated External Defibrillator (“AED”) Request Form.
  • An individual(s) within every department must be assigned the responsibility of compliance with the following requirements.
    • With assistance from the Office of Facilities, strategically place an AED in a readily accessible location to maximize rapid response.
    • Perform and document weekly inspections to assure that the assigned AED is in a state of readiness.
    • Stay current on all AED/CPR training in accordance with the standards set forth by the American Red Cross and American Heart Association.
    • Report when an assigned AED has been used during a medical response or is in alarm to the Facilities Operations Customer Service Center at 203-432-6888.
  • Once approval has been given, order an AED and all its accessories (i.e., pads, batteries, wall cabinet, and signage) through Cintas.

4300.4 Deployment

  • The AEDs, where available and accessible, may be used in emergency situations when sudden cardiac arrest occurs.  Individuals who have volunteered and who are designated by the department or administrative unit acquiring the AED must be trained in the use of the device.  Such training shall be in accordance with the standards set forth by the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association.
  • The AED Medical Advisor (currently Dr. Roland Jermyn) will provide medical oversight for AEDs under this program and provide the prescription required to obtain an AED.
  • AEDs will be placed in an accessible location and will be inspected by the Office of Facilities in accordance with the operational guidelines of the manufacturer or designee.
  • In a medical emergency that may require the use of an AED, call 911.  The activation of the Emergency Medical Service System via telephone should not be delayed due to the actual or anticipated use of an AED.
  • University departments and units interested in learning more about AEDs should contact the Office of Facilities at 203-432-9077.

4300.5 Athletics

  • The Yale Athletic Department must maintain at least one AED, not more than a quarter mile from any area or facility used for intercollegiate sport practice, training, or competition.  The AED should be positioned in a central location that is highly visible and accessible to students and staff during all practice, training, or competition hours.  This includes all indoor practice, training, and competition facilities as well as all outdoor fields and stadiums.
  • At least one person who is trained in CPR and the use of an AED must be on the premises during all hours of practice, training, or competition.
  • The AED must be maintained and tested in accordance with manufacturer guidelines and University policy.
  • The Emergency Medical Service System (calling 911) must be promptly activated upon each use of the AED.