Grants for defibrillators are meant to protect emergency respondents.
The federal government offers these grants to encourage the placement of defibrillators to decrease the death rate caused due to sudden cardiac arrest.
Grants for Defibrillators
Sudden cardiac arrest strikes more than 800 people per day in the United States. This emerged the need for Defibrillators.
Grants for defibrillators are provided to support survival and avoid brain damage.
Defibrillators are devices that help in restoring a normal heartbeat. It works by giving a shock to the heart or by sending an electric pulse.
Defibrillators are also used to correct or prevent an arrhythmia (an uneven heartbeat that is too slow or too fast).
Grants for defibrillators – The 3 Major Types
Types of Defibrillators
The working of different types of defibrillators varies. There are three types of defibrillators:
- Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are mostly found in many public spaces. An AED is a battery-operated, lightweight, portable device that checks the rhythm of hearts and sends a shock to the heart to restore a regular beat.
They are developed to save the lives of people who experience sudden cardiac arrest.
Grants for AED were given to fulfill the need for the placement of defibrillators in areas like restaurants, schools, public places, offices, etc.
Even an untrained bystander can use this device in case of an emergency.
Electrodes, sticky pads with sensors, are attached to the chest of the patient with cardiac arrest.
These electrodes send information about the patient’s heartbeat to a computer in the AED. Finally, the computer analyses if the electric shock is required. If needed, the shock is delivered through electrodes.
- Implantable Converter Defibrillators (ICDs) are surgically placed inside the body of the chest or abdomen of the victim.
It prevents sudden death among people who have higher risks of a life-threatening arrhythmia that interrupts the blood flow from your heart.
The ICD sends a low-energy shock to correct the arrhythmia.
If the low-energy shocks do not return your normal heartbeat, the device will switch to high-energy shocks.
ICDs detect your heart pulses with a generator that is connected to wires and deliver a shock when needed.
The ICD also records the heart’s electrical activity and heart rhythms. These recordings can help the doctor to fine-tune the programming of your device.
- Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillators (WCDs) rest on the body. It can take effort and time to get used to living with a defibrillator.
WCDs have sensors that attach to your skin. Wires connect them to a unit that determines your heartbeat and delivers a shock when required.
The device has a belt attached to the vest, worn under the clothes. The doctor fits the device according to your size to detect the heart rhythm.
The sensors detect the occurrence of arrhythmia and notify with an alert. These alerts can also be turned off to prevent shocks.
The device can also deliver repeated shocks if not responded to. The sensors must be replaced after each episode.
It is essential to be aware of possible complications and risks.
Grants for defibrillators – The Federal, State, & Local Laws
Basics for Defibrillator Grant Program
Highlight the primary considerations when applying for Defibrillator Grant Program.
- Recruit personnel at your location who are willing to work with local medical and emergency services.
- Make sure that all those who will be affected by the planning of the defibrillation program are involved
- The decision-making process needs put in written form and clearly stated.
- Confusion when delivering emergency medical services should be avoided.
- Having a physician as part of the implementation and planning process is important.
- Make sure that all federal, state and local laws and regulations are followed.
- Devising a training program is the most crucial aspect of getting your defibrillation grant program.
Role of the FDA
The FDA recognizes the importance of Defibrillators as life-saving devices.
Therefore, before giving grants for defibrillators, the FDA takes several actions. It ensures that current and future defibrillator devices and necessary accessories are reliable and safe.
Problems associated with many defibrillators like manufacturing issues may contribute to patient harm or prevent the rescue of the patient.
The FDA evaluates the safety and effectiveness of the devices before they are marketed to the public.
These FDA-approved medical devices are then implanted in a person’s body, while others are used outside the body.
Grants for defibrillators – The Role of FDA
Conclusion
Grants for defibrillators are used to treat a person suffering from SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest). Suppose you find a problem with a device or experience a side effect related to the use of a device.
In that case, you can report the issue through the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program.
The Department of the General Services Administration (GSA) and Health and Human Services have developed “Guidelines for Public Access Defibrillation Programs in Federal Facilities” to aid in defibrillators program implementations.
See Also
Grants for AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
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