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UB acquires 32 defibrillators for use on campus
By DONNA BUDNIEWSKI
Reporter Assistant Editor
Every second counts in the life of a victim of cardiac arrest and over the years, UB has seen its share of heart attacks on campus. Until last year, however, chances of survival for victims of cardiac arrest depended upon getting the patient to an ambulance or emergency room equipped with a defibrillator.
Theresa Betz, nurse practitioner in the
Center for Student Health, demonstrates how a defibrillator is hooked up
to someone suffering from cardiac arrest. Serving as the model is
Darshit Bakhai, a junior nursing major.
PHOTO: DONNA BUDNIEWSKI
That window between life and death has been widened a bit more with the acquisition of 32 defibrillators (Automated External Defibrillators, or AEDs) on the North and South campuses. Use of one of the defibrillators by staff in the School of Dental Medicine just last month saved the life of a woman, according to Theresa Betz, nurse practitioner at the Center for Student Health and coordinator of the Public Access Defibrillation Program (PAD). The new program is dedicated to the installation, training and use of defibrillators on campus.
Being able to save the woman's life demonstrates the true importance of having AEDs, Betz stresses. The PAD Program was established in May 2002 after the university became an official training center for the American Heart Association in July 2001.
"This program has truly been a team effort—many units and individuals have contributed to making this a success," says Frank Carnevale, director of Student Health Services. "Student Health Services is proud to be part of this team effort. Theresa Betz has done a great job at assembling a talented, dedicated group of individuals to provide this important service," he adds.
AEDs are used to restore a normal heartbeat in an individual who has experienced sudden cardiac arrest, which is usually caused by ventricular fibrillation—a chaotic, abnormal electrical activity of the heart that incites the heart to beat in an uncontrollable fashion. When this occurs, little or no blood reaches the heart and frequently, the person quickly loses consciousness. Unless the condition is reversed, death follows in a matter of minutes. The AED provides an electrical shock to the heart, which helps to restore a normal rhythm. But for every minute of delay in delivering that shock, the chances of survival drop about 10 percent, according to the American Heart Association.
"People take their own health very seriously these days, as they should. And their university needs to take their health just as seriously. That's what the PAD Program is all about," notes Dennis Black, vice president for student affairs.
Betz says the 32 defibrillators are accessible at a variety of places at both campuses. University Police has 10 units—two in cars patrolling the South Campus and six in cars on the North Campus; one in the Ellicott substation and one in the Clement substation. The Division of Athletics has 14 units, Center for the Arts has two units, Wellness Education has one unit in the Student Union, Michael Hall has one unit and the School of Dental Medicine has four units.
"Every department that owns these units has training available for staff, faculty and students. We also offer these departments mock cardiac arrest drills annually or semi-annually. One of our goals with the PAD Program is to get at least 10 percent of the university community trained in CPR/AED. It would be a great accomplishment," Betz says.
"The fastest way to get help on campus is to call 2222. We seek to increase the number of AED units we have on campus and people trained in CPR/AED, which will only increase response time and the chance for survival, explains Betz, adding that the PAD committee is compiling death and survival data regarding AED use.
"Anyone can learn to use an AED, says Betz. "The device is very simple to use. It is very safe, lightweight and relatively inexpensive (about $2,200). Presently, the survival rate with the AED is 38 percent. Without using the AED, rates are between 7 and 10 percent, depending on where you live. We also provide a six-hour lay rescuer course in which people learn CPR and the use of the AED."
Betz says that as an educational institution, UB, which took a proactive role in providing AEDs to the campus community, is committed to the health and safety of its employees and students. In addition, there is a possibility of future legislation mandating AEDs in institutions of higher education.
"A great university needs to be able to respond to the needs of its great people—students, faculty, staff and visitors," Black says. "The UB PAD effort does just that. What could be more important than having the means available to save a life?"