The present invention relates generally to a method for certifying, or otherwise designating, a facility as being equipped with automatic external defibrillators (“AEDs”) and as having implemented a cardiac emergency readiness (“CER”) program for assisting victims of sudden cardiac arrest in accordance with certain standards. The present invention also relates generally to the promotion of a facility so designated.
Sudden cardiac arrest (“SCA”) is a serious problem and, without immediate and proper treatment, usually results in death. In order to prevent some of these deaths, organizations have trained their staff in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (“CPR”) to provide aid to those suffering SCA (i.e., a heart attack). However, CPR saves lives in less than 5% of these situations. Furthermore, after 4-6 minutes, irreversible damage or death can occur and studies show that, by the time paramedics arrive, it is often too late to resuscitate most SCA victims. After that that time, the odds of resuscitating a SCA victim or of obtaining some other favorable outcome, is greatly diminished, with the chances of survival reduced 7-10% per minute.
As a result, many organizations are now addressing the issue of SCA by purchasing AEDs. However, these devices are frequently located haphazardly at an organization's facility, and without any meaningful guidance as to the appropriate number and location for the particular facility. In addition, although one or more persons who work in/at the facility may have been trained in the use of the AEDs, there may be no program in place to ensure that an adequate number of people have been trained, that they have received the correct training, or that their training is up to date. There may be federal, state and/or local laws and/or regulations involving the training of personnel to use the AEDs, of which the facilities manager is unaware. There may also be no program in place to ensure that the AEDs are regularly maintained, e.g., to be sure that the pads are not out of date, that the batteries are fresh and fully charged, etc.
There is disclosed a method of providing a CER program at a facility that comprises conducting a survey of the facility for determining the proper placement of at least one AED so as to assure, as best as possible, proximity to a possible victim of SCA. The method further comprises the steps of certifying, or otherwise designating, that the CER program has met certain minimum requirements, including proper placement of the AED(s) in accordance with the survey, and providing ongoing support for the CER program, including promoting the facility, through a communications network, as having received the CER designation.
The survey may be conducted by a third party or by facility personnel. If performed by facility personnel, the survey may be conducted after receiving standards for achieving a CER designation that have been transmitted from a facilitator. After the facility personnel have completed the survey and transmitted to the facilitator confirmation that the necessary standards for achieving a CER designation have been met by the facility (including proper placement of AEDs at the facility), the facilitator may transmit confirmation of the designation to the facility.
The facilitator may be an entity used by an event or meeting planner (or other interested member of the public) to aid in locating and/or booking venues for events. Such facilitators may have contacts with both those who plan events, and facilities of the type the planner requires. The facilitator's job is to assist the planner in locating the correct facility for the event, to assist the various competing facilities in promoting their availability, and to assist both in their respective booking efforts. The facilitator may also advertise to the facilities the availability of a certification or other designation for a CER program, and extend offers to the facilities to become certified or otherwise designated, whereby the facility, after undertaking appropriate measures and/or confirmations mandated by a designating entity, becomes a designated facility, i.e., one having a designated, or certified, CER program. The facilitator thereafter promotes the facility as having a designated, or certified, CER program in its advertising and promotional materials for the facility, so that the planners seeking to book an event are able to readily identify those facilities that are designated or certified. In one disclosed embodiment, the facilitator operates a web site that is used by planners to locate facilities for possible booking, and the facilities having designated, or certified, CER programs are identified as such on the web site. In another disclosed embodiment, the facilitator and the designating entity are separate entities and both entities may maintain web sites identifying facilities having designated, or certified, CER programs. Alternatively, the facilitator and the designating entity may be the same entity.
a and 4b are a flow chart illustrating the steps that may be employed in the designation, or certification, offer to a facility, the designation, or certification, process, and the promotion of a designated, or certified, facility.
The term “facility” as used herein includes any location where emergency medical services cannot be on location within 4-6 minutes of a sudden cardiac arrest and would therefore benefit from implementing a CER program. By way of example, the term facility
The term “designated cardiac emergency ready facility” (DCERF) is used herein to refer to both a facility that has been certified, or otherwise designated, as herein described, and to a facility's designated or certified CER program.
Most states require medical direction or a prescription for the purchase and use of an AED, although some AED's are now available without a prescription. The method helps an individual or institution handle the medical authorization process 104, where required, by assisting in obtaining all of the necessary state and local permits for the purchase and use of the AED.
The method then develops a customized emergency response plan 106 that specifies how to deal with incidents of SCA. The plan includes contacting local emergency personnel to familiarize them with the CER program. The plan provides details, such as who should contact an emergency medical specialist (“EMS”), who is qualified to use the AED, and who should meet the ambulance.
The method provides training 114 to the personnel who will use the AED. The training is offered by instructors from the program or though certified instructors from various other organizations such as the American Heart Association® or American Red Cross®.
After the AEDs are in place, the method provides periodic inspections 116 to ensure that the AEDs are operational and accessible and that trained personnel are stationed nearby. The inspections of the AED will check its overall condition, including the electrodes and batteries. An employee of a third party certifier may contact a designated person at the facility on a periodic basis to ensure the AEDs have been inspected and trained personnel are available.
The method also provides replacement of all supplies needed for the operation of the AEDs, including its electrodes and batteries 116. The supplies are provided either free or at cost depending on the nature of the CER program. The electrodes usually have a shelf life, unopened, of approximately two years and are replaced if found to be defective or worn. Similarly, if a battery fails or becomes worn, a replacement battery is provided.
In the event of a SCA or other emergency, the method provides an AED usage review 112 to ensure that it has functioned properly and is still in working condition. As part of the review, the method may also provide an evaluation of the emergency to help improve the response of personnel involved. The evaluation would include, in part, analyzing the performance of the personnel participating in the CER program, the adequacy of the training, the procedures used during the emergency, and the placement of the AEDs. Additionally, counseling may be provided to victims and their families to help cope with the emotional trauma of the event.
The method also provides various other support services, such as assisting in the development of a public relations and legal support plan 110. The public relations plan is aimed at generating goodwill towards the individual or facility implementing the CER program. It includes preparing a public relations announcement informing the public of the CER program. It provides guidance in recruiting volunteers to participate in the program and guidance on preparing newsletters discussing the CER program and other general health related information.
The method also provides legal advice and information to help limit the liability of the individual or facility and to ensure that they are in compliance with all legal requirements associated with the CER program, and in particular the use of the AEDs. For example, information on local “Good Samaritan” laws that limit the liability of persons rendering assistance to injured victims, and laws relating to the technical requirements of the AEDs and persons qualified to use the AEDs are provided. However, in the event that a lawsuit is bought against the individual or facility, the method provides litigation support in the form of references to legal counsel and expert written legal opinions on the proper jurisdictional standard of care on the use of an AED. For customers requiring additional assurance, the method offers an indemnification plan for the facility, the AED owner, and/or employees, and others, against whom claims regarding use of the AED might be filed. In such a case, the method coordinates with the individual's or facility's insurance carrier to ensure proper liability coverage. As an added benefit, a life insurance policy covering victims of SCA on/in the facility may be provided.
Throughout participation in the CER program, free consultation 108 by email or other means is provided to answer any questions or concerns related to the use of the AEDs or the program itself.
After purchasing the AEDs and implementing the CER program, the individual or facility is certified (118) as having met the standards of the program. The certification informs the public that the individual or facility has established an effective CER program that could potentially save lives.
The method depicted in
In addition to the obvious tangible benefits of the CER program, there are several intangible benefits. Specifically, customers receive a certification seal, which clearly distinguishes the facility as being ready to deal with incidents of SCA, and assists in their branding efforts. Thus, the CER program provides an important service for individuals and companies to offer their patrons who will have the comfort of knowing that the site is capable of handling cardiac emergency situations. For example, hotels can market this service to their senior citizens, with the goal that senior citizens will choose their hotels, based in part, on the certification program. The benefits of the CER program may prompt many businesses to proudly display their certification seal.
Referring to
The certifier 230 is knowledgeable of, and has established standards or guidelines with respect to, existing regulations, laws, and requirements concerning the placement, training, use and maintenance of AEDs for use in connection with a CER program. The certification and services offered by the certifier 230 may be endorsed by a respected and well known agency in the appropriate medical field, and preferably one that is independent and respected, such as the American Heart Association®. If a facility 220 that has accepted an offer to become certified already has a CER program, then the certifier 230 determines if the facility's CER program satisfies the necessary standards or requirements for certification. However, if the facility 220 does not presently have a CER program, then certifier 230 advises the facility of the steps it needs to undertake to become certified. The facilitator 210 may serve as a “middle-man” between the facility 220 and the certifier 230 and may provide the certifier's certification standards or requirements to the facility 220.
One method of implementing the offering, certification and promotion process is shown in
As shown at 410, the facility 220 may accept, reject or ignore the promotion. The acceptance of the promotion from the facility may be in the one of same forms discussed above. As shown, the facilitator 210 may later reissue the promotion if it was previously rejected or ignored, or the facilitator 210 may decide not to reissue the promotion after it has been issued a predetermined number of times or after a predetermined time period has elapsed. If the facility 220 accepts the promotion, then the facilitator 210 may request the facility 220 to respond to an inquiry which may be in the form of an initial survey. The purpose of the inquiry or initial survey is to determine the facility's physical and other characteristics relating to placement, use, training, etc. of AED's, and to allow the certifier 230 to ascertain what steps, if any, the facility needs to undertake to become certified, i.e., to have its existing CER program designated or certified. The characteristics of the facility 220 may include, among other things, the size of the facility 220, the number of rooms of the facility 220, the location of stairwells and exit points at the facility 220, the number of users (e.g., customers, guests or employees) of the facility, and, if the facility already has a CER program, the details of the CER program.
As shown at 420, based upon the answer to the inquiry or the completion of the initial survey, the facilitator 210 may prepare and transmit a proposal to the facility to become certified. Alternatively, the proposal may be prepared by the certifier 230. The proposal may take into account the characteristics of the facility 220 in conjunction with the certifier's (230) certification requirements. The proposal may include a cost estimate for certifying the facility 220 (or the facility's existing CER program), a cost estimate for the required AEDs, the number of employees or facility personnel to be trained in the use of the AEDs, etc.
As shown at 430, if the facility 220 accepts the proposal, then the facilitator 210 may transmit measures to be undertaken by the facility 220 in order to satisfy certification standards or requirements. In addition, at 425, before or concurrent with the transmission of the measures to be undertaken, an indication that the facility 220 is in the process of becoming certified may be displayed on a web site or other means that is used to search for a facility, as further described below. The measures to be undertaken by the facility 220 to become certified may be identified on a checklist to be completed by the facility 220. The checklist may be provided by the certifier 230, the facilitator 210, or both the certifier 230 and the facilitator 210. The measures to be undertaken (and indicated on the checklist) may include but are not limited to the following: the identification of a facility coordinator; the development of an emergency response plan to be used in the event of a cardiac emergency; the placement in the facility of AEDs and/or other cardiac emergency equipment; the provision of training to facility personnel; the testing and maintenance of the AEDs and/or other cardiac emergency equipment; and means for notifying users of the facility that the facility has a certified CER program.
As shown at 435, the checklist as completed by the facility 220 is forwarded to certifier 230, either directly by the facility 220 or via the facilitator 210. The completed checklist is used by the certifier 230 to determine if the measures necessary to become certified have been satisfactorily undertaken by the facility 220. As shown at 440, if the required measures have not been satisfactorily undertaken, then the certification process may terminate, and the certifier 230 may not certify the facility 220 or its CER program. In this case, the process either terminates or the facilitator and/or certifier work with the facility to satisfy the required measures. If, on the other hand, the measures have been satisfactorily undertaken as demonstrated by the latest checklist, then, as shown at 445, a certification is issued by the certifier 230 indicating that the facility 220 has a certified CERF. Where the facility meets the standards for certification as demonstrated by completion of the initial survey, no measures will need to be undertaken at 435.
Once the facility's CER program has been certified, as shown at 450, an indication to this effect is displayed on a media frequented and examined by users (e.g., persons such as customers and guests) of the facilities. For example, the certifier 230 may inform the facilitator 210 of the certification of the facility 220, and the facilitator 210 may accordingly cause an indication that the facility 220 is a certified CERF to be displayed on the media. The media can be magazine, television, or internet advertising, to name a few.
In one embodiment, the facilitator is a reputable and well known entity commonly used by event or meeting planners (and others) to book events or meetings at various event and meeting facilities (e.g., convention centers and hotels) with whom the facilitator acts as a “middle-man”, and the indication is displayed on media or a data base which is readily searchable and associated with the facilitator. In this manner, event and meeting planners and others can readily identify and/or search the data base and ascertain the identity of the certified CERFs The data base may include a page for each facilities in the data base and the page for a facility which is a certified CERF will so indicate. The indication may advantageously be provided on a website operated by the facilitator that is used by event and meeting planners (and others) to determine the availability of facilities and to book events at a facility. The facilitator 210 may be responsible for the content on the website or may provide the information necessary to update the website to another party. One example of such a facilitator is OnVantage.com (www.onvantage.com).
As shown at 455, users of the facility 220 may be informed that the facility has a certified CER program. For example, the guests may be informed directly by the facility 220 when making a reservation at the facility 220, upon arrival at the facility 220, at a time before arrival at the facility 220, and/or by means of a plaque or signage at the facility. Guests of the facility may also have been informed of the facility's certification from the display in the media discussed above.
Subsequent to the initial certification, it may be necessary to recertify the facility's CER program. For example, the certifier 230 may need to recertify the facility 220 at predetermined time intervals, e.g., once every year or every other year or as otherwise required by industry standard or law (as shown at 460 and 465), or upon notification of an occurrence of a cardiac emergency at the facility (as shown at 470, 475 and 480). The recertification process may be similar to or the same as the original certification process (e.g., including a new survey to be completed), or may be a subset thereof, or may involve an in person inspection and survey by the facilitator 210 and/ or the certifier 230. If the certifier 230 determines that the appropriate recertification measures have been taken, then the certifier 230 recertifies the facility 220. The recertification process may also include causing an indication that the facility 220 has been recertified to be displayed on the media discussed above. With particular reference to the event of a cardiac emergency (470, 475 and 480), the occurrence of a notification of an emergency may be determined and/or evaluated. The facility 220 may report to the facilitator 210 a cardiac emergency occurrence involving the use of the cardiac emergency equipment, who may relay the notice to the certifier 230, or the facility 220 may directly report the cardiac emergency occurrence to the certifier 230 (see 470). As shown at 475, if a cardiac emergency occurs at a certified facility 220, the certifier 230 examines or audits the facility 220. The examination or audit of the facility 220 may be performed in order to determine the effectiveness of the certification, such as for example whether the training of the facility personnel or the placement of equipment was sufficient. In addition, the examination or audit of the facility 220 may indicate that additional measures should be undertaken by the facility 220 in order to maintain its certification. For example, the certifier 230 may determine that additional training is necessary or that additional AEDs are required. Or, the examination may reveal that the only necessary remedial measure is to maintenance or replacement of the AED used during the cardiac emergency incident. Any additional measures required to be undertaken to maintain certification may be indicated in a post-emergency checklist. The facility 220 may complete the items, required by the certifier 230 and noted on the post-emergency checklist, and may provide a completed post-emergency checklist to the certifier 230. The certifier 230 may then examine the post-emergency checklist and determine if the appropriate measures have been taken by the facility 220. If the additional measures have been taken, then the certifier 230 maintains the certification of the facility 220.
The following provides additional detail that might be included in the checklist:
Emergency Response Plan
As discussed above, the term “certified” has been used in connection with those facilities who have met certain standards or requirements for a CERF. However, it is possible that various levels of standards or requirements may be satisfied providing various degrees of facility readiness for a cardiac emergency. It is intended that the term “designation” includes various levels whether or not it rises to the level of “certification”. For example, a facility meeting a lesser standard might be designated as “registered” rather than “certified”. The term “designation” as used herein is intended to embrace any and all “designations” where the nomenclature used represents some standards or requirements of readiness for a cardiac emergency at a facility having AEDs.
The foregoing examples have been provided for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting, except as expressly set forth in the appended claims. While the invention has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Further, although the embodiments have been described herein with reference to particular means, materials, and examples, the embodiments are not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the embodiments extend to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims.
This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/734,220 filed Dec. 15, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/924,503 filed Aug. 9, 2001, containing the subject matter of U.S. provisional application No. 60/255,062 filed Dec. 14, 2000, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,694,299 on Feb. 17, 2004, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60255062 | Dec 2000 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 09924503 | Aug 2001 | US |
Child | 10734220 | Dec 2003 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 10734220 | Dec 2003 | US |
Child | 11437576 | May 2006 | US |