Prevalence of automated external defibrillators at cardiac arrest high-risk sites

Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) distributed throughout communities may improve survival from cardiac arrest. The purpose of this study was to determine if AEDs were present at high-risk locations for cardiac arrest in King County, Washington.

The authors compiled a list of sites based on a five-year study that identified public sites with the highest incidence of cardiac arrests in King County. They conducted a structured telephone survey with the manager, director, or owner of those high-risk sites.

Of the 263 identified high-risk cardiac arrest sites, we obtained information for 228 (87%) sites. Overall, 87 of 228 (38%) high-risk sites had one or more AEDs. The AED dissemination varied greatly by type of site. The airport, the two county jails, the five public sports venues, and the nine ferries/train terminals each reported at least one AED on site. In contrast, none of the 13 shelters and 19% of health clubs/gyms reported an AED on site. Nearly half (44%) of sites without AEDs cited cost as a factor preventing them from purchasing AEDs in the future.

Although AEDs have diffused into high-risk sites in this community, the diffusion appears to vary by the type of site.