Saving Lives: Enhancing Cardiac Care in Republic County
Sudden cardiac arrest is a critical issue in Republic County, where AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) are used in only 13% of cases, and just 7% of the time by laypersons. To address this, Republic County Hospital
(RCH) launched a crucial initiative to improve cardiac resuscitation by purchasing a Hospital ZOLL defibrillator and ten portable ZOLL AEDs. These devices were installed throughout the county as of February 1, 2024,
ensuring compatibility across the community, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and RCH. This standardization prevents delays in care and saves precious minutes during emergencies.
The project was made possible by an $18,000 grant from the Republic County Community Foundation Action Fund and the Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund, with RCH managing device consumables and EMS overseeing maintenance while integrating the AEDs into their Rapid Deploy System. This system helps track AED locations and ensures quick access during emergencies. A few months after installation, community trainings were held, covering hands-only CPR, AED use, and navigation of the PulsePoint AED app. County dispatch can now also direct emergency callers to the nearest AED.
By improving AED availability and educating 100 Republic County residents, this initiative aims to significantly boost survival rates, particularly in remote areas where EMS response times can exceed 20 minutes. RCH and EMS are committed to ongoing collaboration, focusing on continuous education and increasing AED use, making Republic County a safer, more prepared community where every second counts in saving lives.
