| This policy evaluation of automated external defibrillator regulations raised six questions: Who is "at risk" for cardiac arrest? What are the ages of cardiac arrest victims? Are AEDs enough for school athletic events? What does the 2003 New York State Education Department's "Survey of AED Implementation" reveal about statewide impact and compliance? What have public schools reported about their use of AEDs? Research through websites, medical journals, and interviews led to the following answers: The older, heart-diseased adult is the most at risk population. Along with AEDs sports physicals, protective safety gear, and sports rules are needed for school athletic events. As of 2003, 630 New York school districts were in compliance and 88 districts were not in full compliance. Though the school AED regulation was a good start, regulations need to cover all adults too. |
