The St. Tammany Parish School Board is committed to the health and safety of its students, faculty, staff and visitors. The goal of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Program is to increase the rate of survival of people who have sudden cardiac arrests (SCA). An AED is attached to an individual’s chest to assess the heart’s rhythm. If appropriate, the device will recommend that a shock be delivered to resume a safe rhythm for the individual’s heart. When delivered, a metered electrical charge restores the heart’s functionality and often saves the individual’s life. AED programs are designed to provide equipment and training as an important means for providing enhanced life safety response measures. AEDs make it possible for lay responders to administer defibrillation prior to the arrival of Emergency Medical Services (EMS). All information pertinent to the individual shall remain confidential. All applicable laws, HIPPA and FERPA, shall be complied with. The AED can be utilized for all individuals except infants 0 to 12 months. Use of the AED in conjunction with Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) will continue as appropriate during the course of emergency care, until the individual resumes pulse and respiration and/or local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrive at the scene and assume responsibility for emergency care of the individual.

High schools with their large populations, older students, faculty and associated extra-curricular events are the most likely location where a cardiac incident might occur. Accordingly, the use of the AEDs in the School System will be implemented as a pilot program in the high schools for the 2009-2010 school year. Necessary preparation for the pilot program will occur in the 2008-2009 school year. All junior high, middle and elementary schools will be added as they request to be AED sites. Due to activity levels, priorities will be given to the junior high and middle schools first, then elementary schools. Office sites may request to participate in the AED Program when they meet the criteria in the Superintendent’s Guidelines. Once approved to be an AED site, the school/office shall have the AED location(s) placed on its evacuation maps and in its Crisis Plan.

The Superintendent shall be responsible for establishing written procedures and guidelines that will provide a protocol for the management and administration of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Program. They should only be used in responding to emergencies involving sudden cardiac arrest. More specifically the guidelines are to introduce clear directives and procedures to ensure that sufficient numbers of staff are trained to operate the AED units. This Program shall meet regulatory compliance, provide continuity and consistency across campuses in AED installation, maintenance and use and establish AED user and CPR training requirements. Medical oversight, coordination with EMS and ongoing quality improvement shall be incorporated into the Superintendent’s AED guidelines. Documentation of the AED Program’s components shall be maintained by the Superintendent or her designee.

Adopted February 12, 2009