Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 31, 2026

Setting Up a Stroke Team Algorithm and Conducting Simulation-based Training in the Emergency Department - A Practical Guide
09:52

Setting Up a Stroke Team Algorithm and Conducting Simulation-based Training in the Emergency Department - A Practical Guide

Published on: January 15, 2017

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest locations in a rural community: where should we place AEDs?

Marc E Portner1, Marc L Pollack, Steven K Schirk

  • 1Penn State University, College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA.

Prehospital and Disaster Medicine
|January 14, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Early defibrillation saves lives from cardiac arrest. This study identified healthcare facilities as key rural locations for automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to improve survival rates.

Area of Science:

  • Emergency Medicine
  • Public Health
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • Early defibrillation is critical for survival in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA) caused by ventricular fibrillation (VF) or ventricular tachycardia (VT).
  • Strategic placement of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in high-incidence OOHCA locations can significantly improve patient outcomes.
  • Rural communities present unique challenges for emergency response and AED accessibility.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify rural, non-residential locations with a high incidence of OOHCA that would benefit from AED placement.
  • To analyze the distribution and types of locations where OOHCAs occur in a rural setting.
  • To inform public health strategies for optimizing AED deployment in underserved areas.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of OOHCA data over a 5.5-year period in a rural community.
  • Categorization of OOHCAs occurring in non-residential areas based on specific location types.
  • Statistical analysis to determine the frequency and distribution of cardiac arrests at various non-residential sites.

Main Results:

  • A total of 940 OOHCAs were recorded, with 265 (28.2%) occurring in non-residential settings.
  • Healthcare-related locations accounted for 127 (47.9%) of non-residential OOHCAs, including 104 (39.2%) in extended care facilities.
  • The majority of non-residential OOHCAs (52.1%) were isolated events, occurring across 146 distinct locations, with no single site having more than two events.

Conclusions:

  • Healthcare facilities, particularly extended care facilities, represent a significant proportion of non-residential OOHCA events in rural areas.
  • AED placement in rural healthcare settings may offer substantial benefits for patients experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.
  • Focusing AED deployment on healthcare locations and supporting first responders with AEDs is a pragmatic approach to enhance survival in rural communities.

More Related Videos

Utilizing the Modified T-Maze to Assess Functional Memory Outcomes After Cardiac Arrest07:02

Utilizing the Modified T-Maze to Assess Functional Memory Outcomes After Cardiac Arrest

Published on: January 5, 2018

Standardized Model of Ventricular Fibrillation and Advanced Cardiac Life Support in Swine05:36

Standardized Model of Ventricular Fibrillation and Advanced Cardiac Life Support in Swine

Published on: January 30, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II01:30

Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II

Rural Health Centers
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
Disturbances in Heart Rhythm01:29

Disturbances in Heart Rhythm

Arrhythmia or dysrhythmia refers to an abnormal heart rhythm caused by a defect in the heart's conduction system. It can cause the heart to beat irregularly, too quickly, or too slowly, leading to symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and fainting. Factors such as stress, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, certain drugs, congenital defects, diseases, and electrolyte abnormalities can trigger arrhythmias.
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...
Introduction Cardiac Emergencies01:30

Introduction Cardiac Emergencies

Cardiac emergencies are critical situations involving the heart that require immediate medical intervention to prevent severe complications or death. These emergencies often arise from underlying heart conditions that impair the heart's ability to function correctly.Types of Cardiac EmergenciesThe most common types of cardiac emergencies include Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS), myocardial infarction (MI), cardiac arrest, and heart failure.Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)...
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation I: Adult01:21

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation I: Adult

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, is a life-saving emergency procedure performed when a person's heart has stopped beating or they are no longer breathing. The foundation of CPR is Basic Life Support (BLS), which focuses on the early recognition of cardiac arrest, the immediate start of high-quality chest compressions, and the timely use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).Assessing Responsiveness and Checking the Carotid PulseWhen approaching an unresponsive person, first ensure...
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation III: AED Use01:23

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation III: AED Use

Introduction to AEDAn Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a portable medical device that analyzes the heart's rhythm and, if necessary, delivers an electrical shock to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). SCA occurs when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating, leading to a loss of blood flow to the brain and other vital organs. In such emergencies, time is of the essence, and using an AED, combined with Cardiopulmonary...
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation IV: Pharmacological Management01:25

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation IV: Pharmacological Management

Pharmacologic intervention is crucial in treating cardiac arrest patients during ACLS or Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support. The ACLS algorithms guide the administration of specific drugs based on the patient's cardiac arrest rhythm, which includes pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT), ventricular fibrillation (VF), asystole, and pulseless electrical activity (PEA).EpinephrineIndication: Epinephrine is the first-line drug for all cardiac arrest rhythms.Mechanism of Action: Epinephrine...