West Reading, Pa. – On Monday, June 10 The Friends of Reading Hospital announced a new partnership with the County of Berks through the Department of Emergency Services. The partnership allows all businesses, organizations, and individuals that own an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to register their device in a Berks County registry through AED Link.
By keeping a registry of AEDs, the Department of Emergency Services will be able to locate the nearest device when someone calls 9-1-1 and reports symptoms consistent with cardiac arrest. Businesses, organizations, and individuals who register their AED will also have the opportunity to register as a “responder.” When a device has a “responder” listed, the registry will automatically notify responders, via text message, when an incident has been reported in proximity to their AED, so they are able to respond quickly.
According to Eric Elgin, MD, Chief, Section of Cardiology at Reading Hospital, “The first three to five minutes during an episode of sudden cardiac arrest are critical and usually determine the patient outcome. AEDs play an important role in the chain of survival for a victim of sudden cardiac arrest. The chain of survival includes: Calling 9-1-1 immediately, performing CPR, using an AED, and accessing advanced emergency medical care.”
Public and private AEDs can be registered at www.berkscountyaedregistry.com. It is free to register all AED devices in this county wide registry. The registry will also send vital reminders when an AED battery needs to be changed or when new pads are necessary.
“This life-saving partnership is all about public health and safety. The Friends of Reading Hospital and the County of Berks have partnered to connect with AEDs and the people trained to use them in an effort to better respond to health emergencies throughout Berks County,” said Christian Leinbach, Berks County Commissioner. “I want to thank The Friends of Reading Hospital for leading the HeartSAFE Berks County initiative. Without their commitment and leadership, this program would not be possible.”
Since 2010, The Friends of Reading Hospital have donated more than 600 AEDs to police, first responders, schools, and community organizations in Berks County. “All of these devices will be registered so that they can be accessed in the event of an emergency,” said Mary Ellen Batman, President, The Friends of Reading Hospital.
Click here to learn more about HeartSAFE Berks County.
