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AEDs are manufactured and sold under guidelines of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Current FDA regulations stipulate that any person purchasing an AED must present a physician's prescription for the device.
The physician, also known as a medical director, plays a pivotal role in a defibrillation program by serving as teacher, advisor, and champion of the program. In addition to medical training and a current medical license, this person should possess a strong commitment to this cause and the well being of his or her community. By carefully planning and establishing the program, AED program administrators help ensure that the medical director's time commitment is utilized appropriately.
In addition to the above, some of the medical director's duties may include:
Provide medical guidance, in concert with EMS and 911 dispatchers
Help select equipment and draw up deployment plans
Devise a system to ensure that responders reach victims as quickly as possible, with AED in hand
Set up guidelines for what a responder should do upon reaching the victim (i.e., treatment protocols), and assist with other policies and procedures
Ensure the appropriate maintenance and use of AEDs
Oversee certification and recertification training programs (the American Heart Association and your state's EMS office may both offer training programs)
Review the data after an SCA event (e.g., ECG rhythm, responder and AED actions, unit performance).
Check response data for potential issues with the AED unit or responder's actions
Provide feedback to responders
Advocate the defibrillation program and reach out to members of the private and public sectors to increase support
Consult on specific medical issues as needed.
The AED program administrators and the medical director should draw up an agreement stipulating the specific responsibilities involved. The agreement should also state whether the medical director will be a volunteer or a paid participant. This important detail may depend on several factors, such as the size of the community, the number of SCA cases, and whether the program is operated by a for-profit organization.
Since quick intervention with an AED can save the life of someone who might otherwise die, the liability risks for the medical director should be assessed. To reduce the medical director's liability, devise a job description with clearly defined duties, responsibilities, and scope of authority, in accordance with your state's laws and regulations. In some cases, the medical director may be exempt from legal liability when the program administrators contractually assume legal responsibility.
In addition, the medical director can consult his or her existing liability insurance to see if it covers these new responsibilities. If not, additional insurance might be purchased.
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