ORLANDO, FL--Most public automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are in buildings that aren’t open 24 hours. As a result, bystanders who are near AEDs don’t have access to the life-saving defibrillators in 21 percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2015.
Researchers analyzed cardiac arrests that occurred within 100 meters (328 feet) of a public AED in a Canadian city. They then analyzed AED coverage of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest for more than eight years, according to the time of day and day of week.
When there was no 24/7 access to buildings, researchers found AED coverage was diminished more than:
- 8 percent during the day;
- 28 percent in the evening; and
- 48 percent at night.
Most out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the study (61 percent) occurred during evenings, nights and weekends.
AED access was limited in schools, industrial facilities, recreational facilities and offices, while there was round-the-clock access in long-term care homes and transportation facilities.
Researchers suggest that a facility’s 24/7 access should be considered when choosing public AED locations, and that this information can be used in a mathematical approach to determine public AED locations that maximize coverage.
Authors: Christopher Sun and Timothy Chan, University of Toronto, Canada
SOURCE: American Heart Association