Concerns with Automated External Defibrillator Deployment Registry (AEDDR)

Carol CareyNews

AEDDR

On the 29th November 2012 the Automated External Defibrillator Deployment Registry (AEDDR) launched “The Defibrillator Guidelines”. Details of the launch are available here.

Since then the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) has received many enquiries as the circumstances surrounding this initiative, the purpose of the Defibrillator Guidelines and regulatory authority of the AEDDR. The AEDDR website states “The establishment of the AED Deployment Register (AEDDR), a new national policy authority and regulatory body was also announced at an official launch in Canberra today” was of considerable concern to council members. Furthermore, the ARC is concerned that such guidelines undermine the ARCs aim of simplifying and facilitating access to AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) throughout the wider Australian community.

Neither the ARC – Australia’s peak resuscitation body – or any of its 17 national member organisations, including the National Heart Foundation, St John Ambulance, Council of Ambulance Authorities or the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand, were aware of this initiative or publication of these guidelines. The ARC is deeply concerned that these guidelines will cause confusion amongst emergency care and first aid providers and businesses that have installed AEDs.

Despite the AEDDR website stating that the AEDDR was “a new national policy authority and regulatory body” this is in fact incorrect. The AEDDR has no authority or regulatory powers. This is acknowledged in the FAQ section of the AEDDR website. Emergency care and first aid providers and those responsible for the provision AED’s in the community, including workplaces, should be aware that there is no requirement to adopt these guidelines or pay any fees levied by the AEDDR.

The ARC is also concerned that this initiative had the endorsement of both the Government and Opposition without due diligence and has resolved to undertake the following action:

  • Publish a press release on the ARC website and notify our member organisations of the ARCs concerns regarding the AEDDR guidelines.
  • Write to the Federal and Shadow Ministers for Work Place Relations.
  • Write to the Federal and Shadow Ministers for Health and Ageing.
  • Write to the Chief Medical Officer – Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing.