Atrus, Inc., owners of the National AED Registryâ„¢, announced that it has provided a customized version of its automated external defibrillator (AED) registry to the Orange County (Florida) EMS Office of the Medical Director, the first in the nation to be created in this way.
The Orange County AED Registry is part of an overall program there to educate and inform citizens about sudden cardiac arrest, CPR, and the importance of public access to AEDs. The Registry will generate regular email reminders to users to periodically check the device to ensure it is in working order. Registered users will also receive reminders to replace electrode pads and batteries which are nearing expiration date. The registry is free to users; AED owners in Orange County can register their devices at https://orangecountyfl.nationalaedregistry.com/.
In making the announcement, Atrus President and CEO, Elliot Fisch said, “Orange County is the fifth largest county in Florida, and being able to provide a system to assure that AEDs in the community are well maintained is important to its citizens and millions of visitors. We are extremely proud to have worked on this project for them.”
Orange County Medical Director, Dr. George Ralls, commented that “the availability and proper use of AEDs in workplaces, homes, schools, places of worship, and business establishments will help improve survival from sudden cardiac arrest in our community. Orange County ordinance and Florida State Statutes strongly encourage training on the equipment and notification to our office of the location of AED devices.”
While Florida’s Cardiac Arrest Survival Act provides immunity for Good Samaritans using an AED, this immunity can be jeopardized by devices which are not properly maintained, which includes changing electrode pads and batteries prior to their expiration dates.
Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in the United States, killing more than 300,000 people annually. Compact and portable, AEDs are designed to be used by laypeople with little or no training, delivering a shock that can save a victim’s life before paramedics arrive.
About Atrus
Atrus’ products and services improve the ability of 911 dispatchers to provide faster lifesaving automated external defibrillator (AED) response within a community. Atrus’ AED Linkâ„¢ software notifies 911 centers of nearby AED location information from its National AED Registryâ„¢ to substantially increase the coverage range of public access AEDs. To learn more, go to www.atrusinc.com.