Deployment of automated external defibrillators by a supermarket chain

Automated external defibrillator (AED) installation has become commonplace in various public locations. However, AED retrievals involving actual shocks may still be very infrequent in many settings despite significant initial/ongoing costs for equipment acquisition, pad/battery expiry replacements and initial/refresher training for designated rescuers. The purpose here was to track frequencies of AED/CPR applications and shocks delivered following AED installations and related employee training throughout a multi-state retail store chain.

Prospective 92-month observational study conducted across a large retail chain to document frequencies of AED device retrievals/applications, CPR performance, shocks delivered, and respective patient and scene characteristics.

1358 retail stores and two-dozen warehouses/offices located in multiple states.

Persons collapsing with possible cardiopulmonary arrest on corporate properties.

AED installation and on-going training of employees in CPR/AED use.

Among 396 reported AED retrievals/applications (>4/month), 75 % occurred inside stores and the remainder in parking lots/sidewalks/other venues. Among these, 294 persons (ages 1-93 years; 74 % men) received basic CPR and/or AED shocks (>3 cases/month), performed most often by store employees. CPR-patient median age was 60 years (IQR:45-70) for men and 58 (IQR:38-68) for women. AEDs delivered 157 shocks during 112 events (>1 case/month); 71 % involved one shock, 20 % two, 9 % three and one involved four shocks. Documented ages for shocked patients (80 % men) ranged 32-90 years with men's median age 62 (IQR:55-70) and women's 61 (IQR:55-65). In one state's retrospective sub-analysis of shockable cases, hospital outcome records were matched to 37 patients with the majority (at least 19 confirmed) surviving to successful hospital discharge.

For this multi-state retail chain, AED installation and employee CPR/AED training appeared to be well-justified considering that AEDs were retrieved/applied frequently systemwide, quite often involving defibrillatory shocks that were associated with survival for many patients. Investigators encourage comparable businesses to adopt/study similar employee-based programs nationwide.