Orthotown June 2024 - 27

MESSAGE BOARD 3
Automated External Defi brillators
Townies discuss which emergency items a practice should have handy
Straightnem
Post: 1 of 8
6/17/2009
Any thoughts out there pertaining to automated
external defi brillators in the offi ce? Is it worth the
expense? Th is sounds like a rhetorical question
because if it means saving a life, then of course it
is ... but they're expensive, in the neighborhood of
$1,200-$2,800. Are they considered standard of care
in dental/orthodontic offi ces? I know I will have one
in the offi ce/offi ces one day, but don't know if I want
to incur the expense right now. ■
tcarlyle
Post: 4 of 8
3/14/2011
We've had one for four years now and thankfully
have never had to use it. With the increase in adult
patients with various medical problems treated in
our offi ce, and with kids, you can never be too safe.
If you don't have one, be certain your practice is a
only few minutes away from a rescue service.
Team training and ongoing review of AED and
sprunace
Post: 2 of 8
I got a used Phillips AED unit off eBay. It had
an expired cartridge and I also had to buy a new
lithium battery, but the cost of the battery and two
replacement cartridges was less than $300-still
much cheaper than buying a new unit.
When we took our CPR recertifi cation last month,
the instructor was amazed at the unit. It seems
like they change the compression and breath ratios
almost every year; this unit has the latest American
Red Cross guidelines and will verbally instruct you
on how to perform CPR correctly. It does a very
good job at instructing even a layperson on how to
perform proper CPR techniques.
I'll leave you with this: Just because something
isn't mandated doesn't mean you shouldn't have
it. If you can aff ord an AED, buy it, because from
a risk-management prospective it's very prudent.
Don't get caught up in the price, because a life is
worth far more than $1,500.
I hope you and I will never need to use this thing,
but now that I have one, it gives me piece of mind. ■
3/2/2011
CPR should be a routine for all health care providers.
Th e units are commonplace and very easy to
use. You never know when you might need it-not
necessarily for your patients, but perhaps a parent
or grandparent, or even a passerby near your offi ce.
In this day and age, with the ease of use, it makes no
sense not to be totally prepared. ■
johnddsmsd80
Post: 7 of 8
1/26/2023
I got one to ensure that if any medical emergencies
happen in the offi ce, we would be covered and
would be able to help save a life. I also realized that
as a middle-aged man in a busy offi ce with stressful
times, there was a chance the life it would save
would be mine! ■
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