Preventing Sudden Cardiac Death: Automated External Defibrillators in Ohio High Schools

Context: Ohio passed legislation in 2004 for optional public funding of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in all Ohio high schools. Objective: To report occurrences of sudden cardiac arrest in which AEDs were used in Ohio high schools and to evaluate the adherence of Ohio high schools with AEDs to state law and published guidelines on AEDs and emergency action plans (EAPs) in schools. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: Web-based survey. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 264 of 827 schools that were members of the Ohio High School Athletic Association. Main Outcome Measure(s): We surveyed schools on AED use, AED maintenance, and EAPs. Results: Twenty-five episodes of AED deployment at 22 schools over an 11-year period were reported; 8 (32%) involved students and 17 (68%) involved adults. The reported survival rate was 60% (n = 15). Most events (n = 20, 80%) in both students and adults occurred at or near athletic facilities. The annual use rate of AEDs was 0.7%. Fifty-three percent (n...