- AED is simple to use at the time emergency, as the equipment will give necessary instructions once, the patient is connected with pads
- This CSR initiative has been taken to address the rising numbers of sudden cardiac arrests, educate the community on prevention of deaths due to cardiac arrests
- Through the Restart Heart Foundation, we shall be installing AED at more locations in the region, and train the facility staff on Basic Life Support and First Aid: Dr Aravindan Selvaraj, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Kauvery Group of Hospitals
R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, SEPT 3
Kauvery Group of Hospitals has on Sunday installed an Automated Extended Defibrillator (AED), a device used in emergency cardiac arrest situations, at Sivan Corporation Park in KK Nagar through its Restart Heart Foundation, which was launched a year ago at Semmozhi Poonga in Chennai.
This CSR initiative has been taken to address the rising numbers of sudden cardiac arrests, educate the community on prevention of deaths due to cardiac arrests and equip them with the skills to provide immediate response to such a life threatening emergency.
The equipment was inaugurated by Virugambakkam MLA AMV Prabhakara Raja in the presence of Dr Poornaligam, Medical Director, Kingsley, Director – Administration and Dr Preetha Ilangovan, ICU Chief & Emergency Consultant, Kauvery Hospital, Vadapalani.
Inaugurating the AED A M V Prabhakara Raja said,“Emergency can occur anytime anywhere, especially in public places. During such scenarios, it is essential to have access to emergency medical care. AEDs are helpful in addressing sudden cardiac arrests, where a bystander can provide first hand help until an ambulance arrives. A location such as Sivan Park has over 1,000 people visiting on a daily basis. People across all age groups visit the park for their fitness routine or leisure activities. Therefore, it is essential to equip the place with right medical assistance that would be needed in times of distress. I appreciate Kauvery Hospital Vadapalani for this noble initiative, thereby preventing deaths due to sudden cardiac arrests.”
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Dr Poornachandran, Medical Director, Kauvery Hospital Vadapalani said that the initiative has just begun at Sivan Park and several AEDs would be placed at many public places for the benefit of the public by the Kauvery Hospital. This is initiative has been picking up in pace in India.
Dr Preetha Ilangovan, ICU Chief and Emeregency Consultant said that the AED is simple to use at the time emergency, as the equipment will give necessary instructions once, the patient is connected with pads. Even lay men with proper training could save precious lives in case of emergency till the ambulance reaching the spot. Sivan Park staffs were trained on how to use the equipment. In addition this, volunteers from the office of the Virugambakkam MLA will also be stationed at the park to assist in case of emergency she added.
Commenting on the initiative, Dr Aravindan Selvaraj, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Kauvery Group of Hospitals said, “There has been a sudden spurt in deaths due to sudden cardiac arrests, most of which could have been prevented with timely intervention and emergency precautions. More than 70% of cardiac arrests occur outside the hospital, and with the right intervention the chances of survival can improve significantly. Hence, it is essential to educate the public and the corporation staff – who are often the bystanders. Through the Restart Heart Foundation, we shall be installing AED at more locations in the region, and train the facility staff on Basic Life Support and First Aid. We believe the initiative will create a significant impact on overall wellbeing of the community.”
Features of AED
Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a device that is used in an emergency situation- a cardiac arrest. The AED is programmed to detect and interpret an electrocardiogram and deliver an electrical shock using accessories such as a power source (battery) and pad electrodes. The portable device gives voice prompts with step by step instructions to be followed by the user. This can be used by anyone who has received minimal training, to use the AED thereby helping to revive the heart rhythm of an individual who suffered a cardiac arrest in a public place. This also enables in keeping him/her stable until an ambulance arrives for further treatment.
