To

Mayor and Council

Subject

Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) Program

Initiator

City Manager

Recommendation

Approval is requested to allow Columbus Heart Safe City, a non-profit \n \n organization, to act as agent for the City of Columbus, Georgia in a two-year \n \n agreement with Medtronics Emergency Response Systems to initiate and implement \n \n a Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) program.

Approval

Approved

Background

Every year numerous individuals suffer cardiac arrest and only a small

percentage of them survive. Cardiac arrest is a condition in which abnormal

heart rhythms called arrhythmia's cause the heart's electrical impulses to

suddenly become chaotic. When this happens, the heart stops abruptly, the

victim collapses, and quickly loses consciousness. Death usually follows

unless a normal heart rhythm is restored within a few minutes. Defibrillation,

which means delivering an electric shock to the heart, is the only known

treatment to restore normal heart rhythm. For every minute defibrillation is

delayed, the victim's chances for survival decrease 7-10 percent. Time is the

enemy. The key to strengthening the "chain of survival" of these victims is

local Public Access Defibrillation or PAD. PAD places automated external

defibrillators or "AEDs", in targeted "1st response" vehicles, as well as

public and private settings, such as schools, medical offices, health clubs,

shopping malls, or other locations frequented by large or "at risk"

populations. AEDs are designed for use by non-medical personnel. Minimal

training is required. They administer a shock through the chest wall to the

heart. Built in computers assess the victim's rhythm, judge whether

defibrillation is needed and then administer the shock. Audible and visual

prompts guide the user. PAD is a community effort which will be coordinated by

Columbus Heart Safe City and supported by donations. Key elements of the PAD

program include AED purchases, placement, "PAD teams" training, and ongoing

basic maintenance.

Analysis

Columbus Heart Safe City, through the PAD program, desires to market and make

available, automated external defibrillators (?AED?s?), and related products,

to public and private persons, and entities who are citizens of Columbus, and

other surrounding areas. Medtronic's is a manufacturer of automated external

defibrillators ("AED?s") and has approached Columbus Heart Safe City to assist

in marketing the PAD program. Medtronics proposes a two-year agreement,

whereby they will pay Columbus Heart Safe City $10,000 as an initial marketing

services fee. In exchange Columbus Heart Safe City will purchase Medtronic

AEDs, and related products, to be placed at various public sites. Columbus

Heart Safe City will act as agent for the City of Columbus, Georgia in this

community effort.

Financial Considerations

N/A

Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement

Legal Considerations

Council approval is required to designate Columbus Heart Safe City as the

City's agent to market the PAD program and the Automated External

Defibrillators.

Recommendations/ Actions

Approve Columbus Heart Safe City to act as the City's agent in this community

effort.

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