New Law Requires AEDs in Physical Fitness Facilities

[jaybird210]

This oughta make things interesting....:

Blagojevich signs law requiring defibrillators
in physical fitness facilities

Illinois becomes first state in the nation to require such
widespread placement of these life-saving devices

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. * Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today signed legislation to require health clubs, school gymnasiums, and indoor park district facilities to have an automated external defibrillator (AED) on the premises and have staff trained in its use.

"AEDs are easy to use and have proven to make a critical difference in reviving a person suffering a cardiac crisis," Blagojevich said. "Prompt use of an AED may restore the heart to a normal rhythm and can more than double a person's chance of survival. It makes sense that we make this life-saving technology available in more public places, particularly in facilities where there is strenuous cardiovascular exertion."

Under provisions of House Bill 4232, physical fitness facilities must have at least one AED, have a trained AED user, develop and implement a written plan to deal with medical emergencies, and file the plan with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). IDPH is charged with inspecting fitness facilities whenever a complaint is filed for noncompliance with the law.

HB 4232 was sponsored by state Rep. Daniel Burke (D-Chicago) and Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago). The legislation was created in honor of Colleen O'Sullivan, a former House Democrat staffer who passed away in 2002 at a health club facility due to heart complications.

"When seconds count, access to a defibrillator can be the difference between life and death. This is about taking matters into your own hands and possibly saving the life of a loved one," Lt. Gov. Quinn said. "Governor Blagojevich's signing of this bill makes Illinois a much safer place and honors Colleen O'Sullivan, the young state employee whose tragic death inspired this landmark legislation."

AEDs are about the size of a laptop computer and are used to analyze the heart's rhythm for any abnormalities and, if necessary, direct the rescuer to deliver an electric shock to the victim. Once the machine is switched on, the operator is instructed to apply two electrodes to the victim's chest. If a life-threatening rhythm is detected, the machine will charge itself and instruct the rescuer to stand clear and press the shock button.

"Sudden cardiac arrest cases are usually due to abnormal heart rhythms that can be restored to
normal rhythm if treated promptly through an electric shock from an AED," said Dr. Eric E.
Whitaker, state public health director. "Victims collapse and quickly lose consciousness, often without warning and, unless a normal rhythm is restored, death will follow within minutes. By making AEDs more accessible in public places we will be able to save lives."

"I am delighted to have introduced this life saving technology before the state legislature," said Rep. Burke. "This remarkable technology is available in the AED has the potential of saving many, many lives in Illinois."

Physical fitness facilities must have the written plan for responding to medical emergencies filed with IDPH before July 1, 2005. For companies that own or operate four or fewer facilities, an AED must be in place in one facility on or before July 1, 2006, a second facility by July 1, 2007, a third by July 1, 2008 and a fourth by July 1, 2009. For those that own or operate more than four facilities, 25 percent of the facilities must have AEDs by July 1, 2006; half by July 1, 2007; 75 percent by July 1, 2008; and all by July 1, 2009.

[jboczek]

This may not be a bad thing. Where else, other than a fire scene, of course, does anybody put that much stress ont he heart? OK, there might be one other place. They're not that expensive and are proven to save lives if used in a timely fashion. I say that Rod and the politicians did good for a change.

[SFDredhat126]

AED save in Collinsville a few nights back due to this law:

Local high school basketball referee stable after heart surgery
By Ken Roberts
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
01/01/2009

Basketball referee Gary Gustafson remains in stable condition at a St. Louis area hospital after undergoing quadruple bypass surgery Wednesday night.

Gustafson, 53 of Troy, Ill., suffered a heart attack while officiating the Althoff-Lincoln (Ill.) boys basketball game at Vergil Fletcher Gymnasium at Collinsville High School Tuesday night during the Collinsville Holiday Classic.

“He had 90 percent blockage on the right side and blockage on the left side,” his wife, Phyllis, said in a phone message. “I guess the Collinsville fire chief (Pete Stehman) saved Gary's life.”

Stehman, 51, who had been a tournament volunteer for 23 years, was in attendance and not working when Gustafson fell face-first along the sidelines with about five minutes to go in the third quarter.

Stehman, with the help of bystanders, began administering CPR to Gustafson. Stehman used an external heart defibrillator to restore Gustafson's heart beat.

“It was a big team effort,” Stehman said by phone Thursday afternoon. “I was just one person there. Those defibrillators are absolute live-savers. That was a textbook save. It restored the heart beat quickly and he responded quickly. It was a great outcome. God was looking out for a person.”

The game was delayed for about 20 minutes before Gustafson was taken off the court on a stretcher and transported to Oliver C. Anderson Hospital in Maryville, where he was held overnight while tests were done. He was eventually transferred to St. Mary's Health Center in Richmond Heights on Wednesday.

“The people saw he was responding,” said Stehman, who is also a paramedic. “He was moving around and responding and the crowd saw that. We knew he was responsive down on the floor and it was great for the crowd to see that and sense that.”

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/new...3?OpenDocument

[ffemt2466]

Nice save Chief! It is too bad these laws weren't mandated years ago. I remember when I was in high school we went to a soccer game over in St. Louis and the ref actually died on the field. Had they had access to an AED it would have given him a far better chance. Kudos to the CFD!

In other news Maryville had a room and contents fire Saturday afternoon. Quick response contained the fire mainly to a basement room and part of the chimney. Box alarm brought Troy FPD and Collinsville FD. New mutual aid system in Madison County seems to be working great! The help is always appreciated by all. Nice to see so many dept's working so well together!

[DjInferno]

I saw the new AED at the gym before I saw this law and thought..wow its about time. We've responded to this gym several times for various things and more than a few chest pains. Oddly enough, several of us work out there at different times and my wife and several of her coworkers do also..so at any point there are a couple paramedics and a nurse or two there.

[Lump532]

This law is a good start. AED's should be as available in public as fire extinguishers.