By Russ Morgan (Contact), Brandy Nance (Contact)
Wednesday, January 21, 2009

The Newman Regional Health Foundation has launched its Heartbeat of the Flint Hills Public Access Defibrillation Program by presenting two automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to the City of Emporia during Wednesday’s City Commission meeting.

The defibrillators will be placed at the Emporia Municipal Golf Course and the Emporia Recreation Center.

“Our mission is to support whole health care in Lyon County and the surrounding counties,” said Lacey Ballard, manager of the health foundation.

According to the American Heart Association, more than 335,000 Americans die each year from sudden cardiac arrest, which is often caused by abnormal heartbeat called ventricular fibrillation — something that is only treatable through defibrillation. Defibrillation shocks the heart into a normal rhythm. Survival rates of ventricular fibrillation rise from 5 percent to up to 74 percent.

“Basically, the bottom line is, the sooner an AED is used on someone suffering from a sudden cardiac arrest, the higher rate of survival that person will have,” Ballard said. “The focus of our program is to increase the number of AEDs in this region by making our community members aware of the need for these life-saving devices. The program will also facilitate community businesses and organizations in obtaining AEDs and all appropriate equipment, training, registration and protocols for their proper use.”

According to a press release from the health foundation, the earlier the defibrillation occurs, the higher the survival rate. “For every minute that passes between collapse and defibrillation, the chance of survival declines,” the release stated.

“It’s a really handy thing to have on hand if you’re one of those 335,000 Americans who are stricken by a sudden cardiac arrest,” Ballard said, “and we’re excited that we are at this point in the program, that we can hand them out to the city.”

Foundation board member Larry Schell explained that within the first two minutes of cardiac arrest, almost 100 percent of those stricken can be saved. “In ten minutes, it’s almost zero,” he said. “So time is very critical.”

Board member Vicky Brooks gave a demonstration of the defibrillator, showing how the device gives clear, simple instructions on its use and also on how to administer CPR while waiting for emergency crews to arrive.

The foundation researched devices and chose the Philips Heartstart Frx AED because of its “ease of use, CPR prompts, clear voice instructions and reliability,” the press release stated.

“We’ve done the research and the footwork,” Schell said. “We want to make it easy for area business owners, churches and other community facilities to obtain AEDs and have them available in key locations in case of an emergency.”

Anyone interested in the program can call the foundation at 341-7781 or e-mail foundation@newmanrh.org. Tax-deductible contributions also will be accepted and may be sent to Newman Regional Health Foundation, 1201 W. 12th Ave., Emporia KS 66801.

The Emporia Gazette