Getting Started: Heart Safe School Accreditation

Agenda Know Your Plan Consider the Facts Role of the School Preparing Schools for Cardiac Emergencies Heart Safe School Accreditation Overview Next Steps

Does your school have a defined plan of action? Know Your Plan Where are the Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)? Who knows CPR and maintains control of the hallways and classrooms during an emergency? How is EMS activation triggered?

Sudden Cardiac Arrest can happen to anyone Consider the Facts Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation: in 50 schools in America will have a cardiac arrest incident each year. Average survival rate of an out-of-hospital child cardiac arrest in the U.S. is less than 7.8%. American Heart Association: 2013 Did You Know? In the United States, a young competitive athlete dies suddenly every three days. (Heart Rhythm Society, 2007)

The Role of the School “Most schools are closer to achieving accreditation than they think. It does take a little effort, but that effort is a small price to pay to be better prepared to save a life.” - Sarah McGraw-Timmes, RN, Lancaster City Schools Nurse A typical school day consists of 6 hours. The average school-aged child spends 28% of the day and 14% of his/her total annual hours in school. Schools are responsible for providing a safe platform for learning and sharing. Clarity of school staff roles in an emergency is essential for coordinated response. Developing campus-wide response and communication methods ensures effcient access to emergency equipment and minimizes rumors.

Assisting Schools in Preparation for Cardiac Emergencies Prevention Assess students ’ risk levels for sudden cardiac arrest and sudden arrhythmia death syndromes. Readiness for Response Anticipate and prepare for students with additional risks and health care needs. General Preparation Build emergency response policies with input from the medical community that will be flexible enough to accommodate different students ’ developmental levels.

Heart Safe School Accreditation (HSSA) Overview Sudden Cardiac Awareness/Event Screening and Risk Assessment Care Plans Emergency Medical Response Drills Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) CPR Training for Staff CPR Training for Students

Thank You The SADS Foundation (800) STOP – SAD