New Fla. AED Law Speeds Medical Assistance

A change in Florida law means that businesses with automated external defibrillators (AED) will be able to register the devices with public safety comm centers, who would notify them when a nearby medical incident occurs. Several counties are planning to update their CAD software to store AED location data, especially for campus-type locations where employees could respond quicker than fire or EMS units. House Bill 801 was signed into law earlier this year, and became effective July 1st. Specifically, the bill (pdf) amends certain state medical privacy laws to allow dispatchers to notify a nearby AED owner when a “confirmed coronary call is taking place.” The bill also amends existing law to add public safety answering points (PSAP) to a section that encourages AED owners to notify their local EMS director. Collier County, for example, currently has 700 businesses with an AED, according to county EMS officials. Owners in the county can register on-line at the National AED Registry or through the county’s Web site.