Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are electronic devices designed to recognize cardiac arrhythmias and treat them through defibrillation, an electrical shock that allows the heart to reestablish its proper rhythm.
Modern AEDs are designed to administer the shock only if an abnormal rhythm is detected and will prompt the user with step-by-step audible or visual cues.
AED use
If a cardiac event occurs:
Call 9-1-1
identify yourself as being on the Seattle campus prior to attempting to use the AED on the person
Follow the AED's instructions
The AED will provide step-by-step audible or visual cues.
Notify public health and EH&S
In Seattle, call the King County Community AED Program Manager at (206) 477-8664.
These are critical steps for you to take in assisting the emergency medical services system to improve medical care and treatment from sudden cardiac arrest and increase chances of survival.
Modern AEDs can provide a printout of a patient's heart rhythms pre- and post-shock. Responding emergency medical system crews may take the AED when transporting a patient or contact a user for follow up to retrieve this information.
AED locations
You can view a map of AED locations at the UW and in King County on the PulsePoint website.
To locate the nearest AED to your location, you can download the PulsePoint AED application for your smartphone (available for free download for Apple and Android phones). It allows the user to view AED locations throughout the United States and Canada. It includes basic information such as hours of operation, specific location, and even a photo of the AED if available.
The UW Police Department officers carry AEDs in their vehicles on the Seattle campus. UW Bothell and UW Tacoma Security Officers carry AEDs in their vehicles.
EH&S maintains an inventory of AEDs on the Seattle campus. Contact EH&S to locate the AED nearest your work location, or if you have an existing AED and want to confirm it is in the University inventory.
While there are some exceptions, state and local law does not require AEDs be provided in buildings. University units and departments may choose to purchase their own.
Unit responsibilities
Organizational units that procure an AED must designate an AED coordinator who is responsible for ensuring the AED is registered and maintained properly, employees who are likely to use it are trained, AED use is reported, and records are kept.
Refer to the Automated External Defibrillators Focus Sheet for more information.
The University does not provide central funding for AED purchase or maintenance. It is important for organizational units wishing to purchase an AED to budget for both the AED device and required maintenance.
Prior approval from EH&S for the procurement of an AED is not required; however, please notify EH&S of your AED purchase and location for tracking purposes. EH&S can also provide guidance to assist with registering your AED with King County or Pierce County.
Prior to procuring and placing an AED in service, University units in King County must obtain a prescription and medical direction from Public Health — Seattle & King County. A prescription is required; the vendor may ask to see your prescription before they accept the order. Instructions on AED use will be provided by Public Health — Seattle & King County as part of the registration packet.
AEDs are available for purchase through Naspo Value Point (under contract with the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services) at discounted rates.
Many companies produce quality AEDs. Select a device that has premarket approval (PMA-510(k)) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. When considering a brand and model, consider ongoing maintenance and replacement part costs, and the total cost of buying and maintaining your AED.
Exception: Philips products have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to sell their AEDs without requiring a prescription.
UW Scientific Instruments has replacement parts and experience maintaining Phillips products. The UW Police Department uses Phillips HeartStart models.
The AED must be placed in an accessible area and near a fire extinguisher or other safety/emergency equipment as appropriate. EH&S can consult on the location. Installation can be arranged by placing a work request to UW Facilities for a Seattle campus location.
University units that purchase AEDs are required to conduct regular maintenance checks according to the manufacturer recommendations such as checking the battery and pads.
For AED maintenance services on the Seattle campus, contact UW Scientific Instruments at (206) 543-5580. Scientific Instruments can provide needed maintenance checks, order supplies, and provide a “loaner” device if an AED must be taken out of service. If you use your AED, call Scientific Instruments to service it prior to placing it back in service.
Emergency response and reporting
UW personnel are required to submit an incident report to Environmental Health & Safety for any work-related event that results in an injury, illness, exposure to hazardous materials, or fire, regardless of the work location.
UW personnel are highly encouraged to submit work-related near-miss events. Visit the Incident Reporting page for more information.
EH&S responsibilities
Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) assists University units with compliance with RCW 70.54.310 including:
- Procurement of AEDs
- Medical direction (instructions on use)
- Registration of AEDs
- Training
- Maintenance
- Reporting use
EH&S maintains AED information on its website and serves as the point of contact to assist organizational units that want to procure an AED.
More Information
Any University employees likely to use an AED are expected to receive training on the use of defibrillators. Register for a First Aid/CPR training course.
For those outside the Seattle area, training may be available from your local fire department, the AED vendor, the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association and other agencies.
UW Administrative Policy Statement 10.12
Washington Administrative Code RCW 70.54.310