Defibrillator Use
Policy text
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Source file: 1.18 Defibrillator Use.pdf. Policy dates appear on the original cover. Page links use the PDF's page order.
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Policy & Procedures No. 1.18
Subject:
Defibrillator Use
Issuing Authority: Effective Date: Review Date:
Chief of Police 10/01/2009 01/01/2024
Review Date: 11/12/2017
Revision
&
Reissued
Dates:
GENERAL CONDITIONS AND GUIDELINES
Canton Police Department Defibrillator Policy has been prepared in accordance with the
requirements of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health- Office of Emergency Medical
Services (OEMS) and the American Heart Association. This policy and applicable standard
operating guidelines and appendixes shall conform to those rules and regulations utilized by the
agencies referenced above.
Purpose:
The purpose of this policy is to establish and formalize the standard operating guidelines that are
required by the Office of Emergency Medical Services in order for the Canton Police
Department to have, maintain and utilize an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED). The policy
will identify requirements for training in addition to appropriate maintenance, storage, and use of
the AED.
Applicability:
The Defibrillator Policy and applicable Standard Operating Guidelines shall be developed,
implemented and maintained by the Canton Police Department in conjunction with the Canton
Fire Department. The AED will be available to sworn personnel twenty-four (24) hours a day in
case of cardiac arrest.
Canton Police Department’s Defibrillator Policy
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It is the policy of the Canton Police Department to equip all sector patrol vehicles with AED’s
and to train all officers in their use in order to provide the public with prompt access to lifesaving
equipment in medical emergencies.
DEFINITIONS
I. Automatic External Defibrillator (AED): is a portable electronic device capable of
analyzing the presence of abnormalities in the patient’s heart rhythm and indicating to the
user the need to administer an electric shock. It is used in conjunction with CPR in an
attempt to restore cardiac and respiratory function in the field.
II. Cardiac Arrest: A condition that results when the heart stops beating. It is caused by
life threatening abnormalities in the heart’s electrical system. These abnormalities are
most often referred to as arrhythmias.
A. Ventricular Fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia. With this condition,
the heart starts beating so uncontrollably that it is unable to pump blood to the rest
of the body or brain. Also known as V-Fib, this state of totally disorganized
electrical activity produces a quivering of the ventricles. Because the pumping of
the heart in this situation is inadequate, there is no detectable pulse.
B. Ventricular Tachycardia means a fast heart beat. It is the very rapid contraction
of the ventricles that prohibits the heart from pumping blood properly;
consequently there is no pulse detected with this patient.
III. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): is the administration of chest compressions
and rescue breathing to circulate oxygenated blood throughout the body.
IV. Comfort Care/Do Not Resuscitate (CC/DNR): an order written by a physician that
states when a patient’s breathing and heartbeat have stopped, they shall not be
resuscitated. No lifesaving measures are to be taken by responding personnel. This form
must be located with or near the patient at the time of first responders’ arrival.
V. Defibrillation: is the definitive treatment used for patients in cardiac arrest (ventricular
fibrillation). It is a brief powerful electrical shock applied to a person’s chest,
interrupting the abnormal heart beat and allowing the heart’s natural rhythm to regain
control.
Canton Police Department’s Defibrillator Policy
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VI. Infectious Disease Control Officer (IDCO): is the officer responsible for the overall
maintenance of all departmental AED’s. In addition, this officer is responsible for the
inventory, ordering and stock of all medical supplies and personal protection items
needed in the station and in the individual cruisers. This officer is responsible for making
contact with a biohazard cleaning company for any bodily fluid spills in cruisers and cell
block areas.
PROCEDURE
I. Defibrillator Location
The Canton Police Defibrillators shall be located in all response police cars. The
defibrillators will be located in the passenger area of these vehicles and efforts shall be
made to protect them from damage. There will also be a defibrillator located on the wall
in the dispatch area.
II. General Considerations
1. Only personnel trained in the use of the AED may operate it.
2. AED’s shall only be used in accordance with the guidelines established by the
Massachusetts Department of Public Health-Office of Emergency Medical
Services and the American Heart Association.
3. AED’s shall be maintained and inventoried by the Infectious Disease Control
Officer or designee. This officer shall create and update a maintenance log for the
AED’s.
4. AED’s shall be stored in the Supervisor’s Office or other designated area when
not in a cruiser.
III. Responsibility for Operation and Placement
A. Officers
Upon placement of an AED in a sector cruiser and upon proper training in the use of
such, the following shall occur:
1. Officers shall maintain his or her CPR/AED certification through
Department scheduled training.
Canton Police Department’s Defibrillator Policy
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2. Officers assigned to a patrol sector shall ensure his or her cruiser is
equipped with an AED.
3. In accordance to his or her training, officers shall inspect the AED to
ensure the OK indicator light is observed on the readiness display and that
the unit is equipped with up-to-date shock pads (the unit should NOT be
turned on during the inspection).
4. Officers shall immediately report any AED’s that are missing,
malfunctioning, or otherwise damaged to his or her supervisor.
5. Officers shall remove the defective AED from the cruiser and submit it to
his or her supervisor.
Officers are required to take the AED from the cruiser if he or she arrives on a call
prior to the Fire Department or if there is a medical assistance call for the following:
1. Unknown Medical
2. Person Down
3. Person Not Breathing/Difficulty Breathing
4. Person Not Responsive
5. Possible Heart Attack
Do Not Start CPR or Initiate Defibrillation if...
Person has a pulse;
There is a valid CC/DNR on site;
Conclusive signs of death are present such as;
1. Injuries incompatible with life (decapitation)
2. Body putrification (i.e. maggots, etc.)
3. Full body rigor with dependant lividity
Operational guidelines for officers:
1. The AED shall be used in accordance to training and in compliance with
the American Heart Association guidelines.
2. Once placed on a patient, the AED shall only be removed from the patient
by an EMT, a paramedic, or a doctor.
3. Should the AED be removed on scene, the officer or designee shall bring
the unit to the Canton Fire Department- Station 1 and notify their
Supervisor and the IDCO by email of its removal.
4. All pertinent information shall be downloaded from the AED computer by
a member of the CFD.
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B. Supervisors
1. Responsible for storing any defective AED in the Supervisor’s Office.
2. Notify the IDCO of any defective AED and shall attach a brief memo to
the AED regarding the problem found.
C. Dispatching Officer
After notifying the Canton Fire Department of a medical call for any of the
following complaints, the appropriate sector car shall be notified as soon as
possible and the information regarding the following shall be relayed to the
dispatched officer:
1. Unknown Medical
2. Person Down
3. Person Not Breathing/Difficulty Breathing
4. Person Not Responsive
5. Possible Heart Attack
Should the sector car be unavailable and the Fire Department response delayed,
another cruiser with an AED will be dispatched to the call.
D. Infectious Disease Control Officer (IDCO)
Responsible for monthly inspection of AED’s in conjunction with the first aid-kit
inspections which includes but is not limited to the following:
1. Ensure there is one set of up-to-date adult shock pads per AED
2. Ensure there is one set of up-to-date pediatric shock pads per AED
3. Disposable razor with each AED kit
4. Pair of gloves with each AED kit
This officer shall be responsible for replacing any missing or defective equipment
and supplies relating to the AED kits and their operation.
This officer shall be responsible for maintaining a maintenance log for all AED’s.
VI. Training
All sworn officers of the Canton Police Department are required to be trained in the use
of the Automatic External Defibrillator. Unless otherwise excused by the Chief of
Police, officers shall attain defibrillation in-service requirements, yearly.
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