Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

Click here for a map of AED locations

An AED (automated external defibrillator) is a piece of medical equipment used to treat cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac arrest. It automatically diagnoses the hearts rhythm to determine if a shock needs to be administered to a person, and will deliver that shock if needed. As technology for this equipment has improved and the cost to purchase them has decreased over the last several years, more AEDs are being used in public and private settings.

While studies done by the American Heart Association (AHA) show that AEDs can in fact save lives, the use of onsite portable AEDs may not always be the most effective care that can be provided to someone in cardiac arrest on our campus. The Ontario Pre-hospital Advanced Life Support Study (OPALS) is the gold standard in cardiac arrest studies. It found that locations that were able to provide optimal rapid defibrillation (emergency personnel administering shock in less than 8 minutes) were effective in the survival of a person suffering from cardiac arrest. Ability of EMS to respond quickly, CPR and AED training, and the appropriate placement of maintained AEDs are important keys in the improvement of survival. Many areas on the University of Kentucky’s campus have less than an 8 minute response time for emergency personnel and therefore an AED may not be necessary. UK Occupational Health & Safety requires that departments submit an official request form for approval before procuring an AED so that a review of your specific need for having this regulated piece of equipment can be done.

Zoll AED Plus - A Step-by-Step User Guide

Occupational Health and Safety wants to ensure that AED boxes are installed in easily accessible and visible areas so that trained staff can locate and access them quickly. We also want to make sure that they are maintained appropriately and used in a safe manner. This means that each building or area that has or intends to procure and AED has someone assigned to manage the equipment and perform all other duties that are required by law when in possession of one.

KRS 311.667 requires the following:

• If you acquire an AED you must inform an agent of the local emergency medical services system and the local emergency communications or vehicle dispatch center. The location and type of AED acquired must be given to this agent (i.e. local 911/dispatch).
• People that will be expected to use the AED must be properly trained in CPR and AED use.
• Maintenance and testing of the AED must be done in accordance with the guidelines set by the manufacturer of the AED equipment.
• Oversight of your AED program must be by a physician who is licensed to practice in the state of
  Kentucky.
• If the AED is used for emergency care or treatment for a person in cardiac arrest, the local emergency medical services system must be notified as soon as possible. The licensed physician
  performing oversight of your AED program must also be informed. Complete KY statute regarding AEDs.

Yes, the state of Kentucky does have a Good Samaritan law for AED use. This law provides immunity from civil liability for any personal injury that results from the use of an AED for treatment or care as long as they are not grossly negligent in this care. If you have any additional questions about AED use, requirements by law, or if you currently have an AED in your building, please contact UK Occupational Health & Safety at 257-3827. We will be happy to provide assistance or make recommendations about AED procurement or use.

311.666 Definitions for KRS 311.665 to 311.669

As used in KRS 311.665 to 311.669, unless the context requires otherwise:

1. "Automated external defibrillator" or "AED" means an external defibrillator capable of cardiac rhythm analysis which will charge and, with or without further operator action, deliver a shock after electronically detecting and assessing ventricular fibrillation or rapid ventricular tachycardia. These devices are known as fully or semiautomatic defibrillators;
2. "Cardiopulmonary resuscitation" or "CPR" means a basic emergency procedure for life support, consisting of artificial respiration and manual external cardiac massage; and
3. "Emergency medical services system" means the same as in KRS 311A.010.
   Effective:July 15, 2002

History: Amended 2002 Ky. Acts ch. 211, sec. 39, effective July 15, 2002. -- Created 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 16, sec. 2, effective July 14, 2000.

Legislative Research Commission Note (7/14/2000).??In codification, a reference in subsection (3) to "KRS 211.950" has been changed to "KRS 311.6521." See 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 343, sec. 1.

311.667 Requirements for person or entity acquiring an automated external
defibrillator.

In order to ensure public health and safety:

1. A person or entity who acquires an AED shall ensure that:
   1. Expected AED users receive American Heart Association or American Red Cross training in CPR and AED use, or an equivalent nationally recognized course in CPR and AED use;
   2. The AED is maintained and tested according to the manufacturer's operational guidelines;
   3. There is medical oversight of the AED program by a physician licensed in Kentucky to ensure compliance with requirements for training, maintenance, notification, and communication with the local emergency medical services system. The physician providing oversight shall also work with the AED site to establish protocols for AED deployment and conduct a review of each use of an AED; and
   4. Any person who renders emergency care or treatment on a person in cardiac arrest by using an AED activates the local emergency medical services system as soon as possible and, if an entity with an AED program, reports any clinical use of the AED to the licensed physician.
   5. Any person or entity who acquires an AED shall notify an agent of the local emergency medical services system and the local emergency communications or vehicle dispatch center of the existence, location, and type of AED acquired.

Effective:July 14, 2000
History: Created 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 16, sec. 3, effective July 14, 2000.

311.668 Immunity from civil liability for user of automated external defibrillator -- Exemption from KRS 311.667 for Good Samaritan.

1. Any person or entity who, in good faith and without compensation, renders emergency care or treatment by the use of an AED shall be immune from civil liability for any personal injury as a result of the care or treatment, or as a result of any act or failure to act in providing or arranging further medical treatment, where the person acts as an ordinary, reasonable prudent person would have acted under the same or similar circumstances.
2. The immunity from civil liability for any personal injury under subsection
   1. of this section includes the licensed physician who is involved with AED site placement, the person or entity who provides the CPR and AED site placement, the person or entity who provides the CPR and AED training, and the person or entity responsible for the site where the AED is located.
3. The immunity from civil liability under subsection (1) of this section does not apply if the personal injury results from the gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct of the person rendering the emergency care.
4. The requirements of KRS 311.667 shall not apply to any individual using an AED in an emergency setting if that individual is acting as a Good Samaritan under KRS 313.035 and 411.148.

Effective:July 15, 2010
History: Amended 2010 Ky. Acts ch. 85, sec. 21, effective July 15, 2010. --
Created 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 16, sec. 4, effective July 14, 2000.

311.669 Professionals to whom KRS 311.665 to 311.669 does not apply --
Licensing boards may require continuing education and training.

1. The provisions of KRS 311.665 to 311.669 shall not apply to the use of an AED
   by:
   1. Physicians, podiatrists, or osteopaths licensed under KRS Chapter 311 or chiropractors licensed under KRS Chapter 312;
   2. Physician assistants as defined in KRS 311.550;
   3. Registered nurses, practical nurses, or advanced practice registered nurses licensed under KRS Chapter 314;
   4. Dentists licensed under KRS Chapter 313; or
   5. Paramedics licensed, or first responders or emergency medical technicians certified, under KRS Chapter 311A.
2. Nothing in this section shall preclude the licensing boards referred to in subsection (1) of this section from requiring continuing education or training on the use of an AED.

Effective:July 15, 2010
History: Amended 2010 Ky. Acts ch. 85, sec. 49, effective July 15, 2010. --
Amended 2002 Ky. Acts ch. 211, sec. 40, effective July 15, 2002; and ch. 320,
sec. 3, effective July 15, 2002. -- Created 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 16, sec. 5, effective
July 14, 2000.

Legislative Research Commission Note (7/15/2002). This section was amended by 2002 Ky. Acts chs. 211 and 320. Where these Acts are not in conflict, they have been codified together. Where a conflict exists, under KRS 446.250, ch.320 would prevail as the Act last enacted by the General Assembly. However, ch. 320, sec. 4, provides: "Nothing in this Act shall be construed under KRS 7.123(4) as appearing to effect any substantive change in the statute law of Kentucky, and the actions contained within this Act shall not operate under KRS
446.250 or 446.260 to defeat any amendments in other Acts of this 2002 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly to the statutes contained in this Act." Accordingly, where ch. 211, sec. 40, and ch. 320, sec. 3, are in conflict, ch. 211 prevails.