title: Lack of integration of automated external defibrillators with EMS response may reduce lifesaving potential of public-access defibrillation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) used for public-access defibrillation (PAD) allow for rapid defibrillation, particularly if the AEDs are incorporated into an organized response plan. This project was undertaken to determine how many PAD AEDs were in North Carolina, how many were properly registered, and how many were integrated into the emergency medical services (EMS) response.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected for this prospective, descriptive study via phone survey, e-mail survey, and/or direct personal interview. Four sources were utilized: 1) state office of EMS AED registration database, 2) AED sales representatives, 3) county EMS agency representatives, and 4) American Heart Association (AHA) training center instructors and regional faculty. The primary endpoint was determining the proportion of AEDs placed in unregistered locations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The state EMS office provided the state registry of AED locations. One-hundred percent of state-recognized AED vendors and county EMS agencies provided data. Twelve of 55 (22%) AHA personnel provided data. Eight hundred eighty-one unique locations were identified. Although AED sales are required by law to be registered, the office of EMS database contained only 99 of the 552 (18%) unique PAD locations identified by the study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A large number of unregistered AEDs are being placed in communities. AEDs placed as part of an organized PAD program improve the rates of survival from sudden cardiac death. In the absence of registration, it is difficult to determine the extent to which these AEDs are part of an organized PAD program.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, USA. brent.myers@co.wake.nc.us
authors.forename: J Brent
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: French
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Webb
mesh_terms: D003132:Commerce; D047548:Defibrillators / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D009657:North Carolina; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011633:Public Facilities; D011640:Public Policy