 Time was working against TJ Quinnell, a 15-year-old student at North Monterey County High School, in February 2001. He collapsed in sudden cardiac arrest during a physical education class. Time is crucial with sudden cardiac arrest as irreversible brain damage begins four-six minutes after a collapse. Too much time passed before emergency equipment arrived. TJ did respond to the electrical shock delivered by defibrillation, but he had already suffered profound brain damage. Richard Quinnell, TJ’s dad, believes his son would be okay today if an automated external defibrillator (AED) had been available during those first crucial minutes.
Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System’s (SVMHS) HeartSave Program and “Project TJ” will help save lives from sudden cardiac arrest by putting AEDs into the community. The HeartSave Program will place units in schools, first response patrol cars and in community businesses and organizations.
“In 2004, SVMHS placed 41 units in public access venues such as churches, clinics, museums and businesses,” says HeartSave Program Coordinator Liz Lazar. “This year we’ll complete the training for people designated to use the units at community sites. ‘Project TJ,’ funded by a grant from Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) of SVMHS, allowed us to purchase the nineteen AEDs we’ll make available to all high schools in Monterey County. We’re also working to place 157 units with law enforcement officers from all jurisdictions in the county.”
Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when fibrillation, an abnormal heart rhythm, prevents the heart from pumping blood effectively. Ventricular fibrillation is the most common life-threatening heart condition. Early electric defibrillation is the only effective treatment. The chance of surviving sudden cardiac arrest decreases by ten percent for each minute that passes. The average survival rate for sudden cardiac arrest victims is under seven percent.
Lazar describes the AED as “portable, about the size of a laptop computer and completely user-friendly. When the fully automatic unit is turned on, it gives verbal step-by-step instructions beginning with the ‘Call for help now’ command. After the electrode pads are attached to the person who has collapsed, the AED analyzes the heart rhythm and if the patient’s rhythm is ventricular fibrillation, the AED delivers regulated shocks to the heart. An AED can only deliver shocks to a heart that is in ventricular fibrillation.”
Cindy Weigelt, Executive Director of the local American Heart Association, says, “training on AED use is absolutely essential and includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instruction. AEDs are invaluable. If an AED program saves one life, it makes it worthwhile. I would like to see the public locations of AEDs published in telephone books so people know where they are.  I would also like to see an AED loaner program expanded so units would be available at large gatherings, at company picnics for example.”
Salinas Valley Memorial’s HeartSave Program continues to work with the Monterey County Emergency Medical Services Agency to put 157 AEDs in patrol cars in jurisdictions throughout the Central Coast. The concept of providing AEDs to law enforcement agencies recognizes that police officers are often the first responders on-scene, even before paramedics arrive. Sand City has had AEDs for its police officers for several years. “I see an AED as another piece of equipment the officers take when they go into the field,” says Sand City Police Chief Michael Klein. “Police officers carry their weapons and ticket books so why not an AED? It’s a piece of equipment that can save lives.”
“The American Heart Association estimates that sudden cardiac arrest accounts for some 250,000 deaths nationwide annually, and over 50,000 in California,” says Sam Downing, CEO/President of SVMHS. “TJ Quinnell has touched each of us and he and his family inspire us. SVMHS has begun a major community service program with HeartSave and we know it will benefit many, many people.” |
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