EMS Public Access Defibrillation Program

Sudden cardiac arrest is a phenomenon in which the victims heart stops beating effectively. Current statistics show that for adults, nearly 80 – 90% of the time this sudden cardiac arrest results in a rhythm called ventricular fibrillation (VF). To treat VF, our Emergency Medical Services (EMS) department delivers a shock to the heart with a defibrillator in an attempt to restore normal cardiac rhythm and produce a normal heartbeat. The earlier EMS can deliver this shock, the higher the likelihood of survival from the event.

On February 14, 1999, the City of West Des Moines initiated our Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) program. Key parts of the program involved placing Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in police cars and later on fire apparatus. This effectively extends our EMS system to allow for earlier defibrillation in the case of sudden cardiac arrest. Support for this program included ensuring that all public safety personnel maintained training in CPR and AED use. Since that time, our program has grown to include nearly all of the city facilities, with many city employees being trained in CPR and AED use.

In 2005, there were 6 occasions in which our police and/or fire personnel were called on to use their training and AEDs in an effort to save a life. To the credit of those involved, a heartbeat was restored before reaching the hospital in 3 of those 6 victims who suffered sudden cardiac arrest. This reflects the dedication of our police and fire department personnel to maintaining their training for emergency medical events. It also reflects the collaborative efforts between our police, fire and EMS departments in crossing traditional lines of responsibility.

Overall, the EMS department responded to 27 sudden cardiac arrests in 2005. They were able to restore a heart rhythm and normal heartbeat to 12 of those victims (44%). According to the National Center for Early Defibrillation, this puts us into the category of “Model Communities” who are able to provide early defibrillation in under 6 minutes, resulting in cardiac arrest survival rates of 45%.

I would like to take a moment to say thanks to our public safety employees who have taken the time to keep up on their CPR and AED training. As EMS often discuss in their training classes, you never know when or where the next emergency will happen. I can only hope that if it happens to me, I am here in West Des Moines where I know I will get excellent care!