Does your office need a defibrillator

This may not be a question you’ve ever asked yourself, but a defibrillator is the most vital piece of equipment you’ll need if one of your employees, or clients, experiences a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA).

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) reports that around 60,000 people in the UK suffer an SCA outside a hospital environment each year. Globally the figure is seven million – with just 5%–10% of those affected surviving.

BHF recommends that emergency resuscitation should begin within four minutes. And the Resuscitation Council states that after only 10 minutes the chances of surviving an SCA are almost zero.

In the event of an SCA, a defibrillator is a key piece of life-saving equipment. Surprisingly, there is no mandatory legislation compelling workplaces to keep defibrillators on-site. Yet more and more businesses are choosing to provide them because of their quick and effective results.

It might seem a challenge to choose this vital equipment, and this is where Total Office can help. We work with defibrillator manufacturers with the best lifesaving and post-SCA quality of life outcomes. Plus, we can advise you on every aspect of acquiring the defibrillator best suited to your business.

What is an SCA?

An SCA is a medical emergency which occurs without warning causing Sudden Cardiac Death if not treated immediately. During an SCA the heart beats in a chaotic rhythm, most often due to Ventricular Fibrillation, where the heart’s lower chambers quiver. This disrupts its pumping action, stopping the blood flow to the rest of the body.

Symptoms of SCA are:

• sudden collapse
• loss of consciousness
• absence of pulse breathing

Every minute is vital. Each one that passes from onset to medical intervention reduces the chance of survival by 10%.

How does a Defibrillator Work?

A defibrillator delivers a controlled, high-energy shock through the chest wall to the heart. This restores its natural rhythm, preventing its collapse, and saving the life of the person.

Early defibrillation combined with effective Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) can double or triple survival rates. CPR helps re-establish the heart’s rhythm and maintain blood flow. It supports the work of the defibrillator if a shock is not enough, preventing brain and other organ damage.

The best automatic, external defibrillators (AEDs) are designed for use by anyone, including untrained users as well as healthcare professionals.

We recommend AEDs which give clear, spoken and visual instructions that guide users in applying the electrode pads, shock delivery, and CPR if needed. There are no complex controls or displays to heighten panic and confusion at a stressful time. One example is the HeartSine Samaritan PAD which is a self-contained unit with no lid to open and single button operation.

Who should have a Defibrillator?

Gyms, Leisure Centres, GP Surgeries and Dentists are all required to have a defibrillator on site. You also find them in busy public areas like airports, shopping centres and train stations. Other organisations are not obliged by law to provide defibrillators, but companies may be liable for failing to take appropriate safety precautions to protect their employees.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advises businesses to conduct a risk assessment to identify whether they need a defibrillator, and if they do, to train their staff to use it.

Factors to take into consideration are:

• Your clients and employees – consider the demographics of people within your business
• Workforce age – although SCAs can occur at any age, the risk increases as people get older
• Location – urban areas can be difficult for emergency access due to traffic, staircases, escalators and crowds. Remote locations may be inaccessible to emergency vehicles.
• Damage to your organisation including to your brand reputation, employment and recruitment.

Just like a fire extinguisher, a defibrillator must be accessible and available to everyone. We offer a wide range of bespoke storage solutions, considering what would work best for your business.

Apart from the life-saving benefits of having an AED on-site and the peace of mind it offers, there are additional benefits to connected defibrillators:

• SCA event data sent automatically to emergency responders and hospital staff
• Remote monitoring across multiple sites – eliminating the need for manual checks saving time, money and error
• Notifications of battery and electrode expiry.

At Total Office, Your Business is Our Business

> Read more on our Defibrillators Service page.

We currently source defibrillators for a range of businesses within the City of London and across the Southeast. We also offer short-term hires to everyone from individuals to businesses, festivals and charity events.

Talk to our team for friendly, professional advice and information. We’ll happily guide you through this complex purchase – this is about more than a box on your wall. Let us provide you with the right support and advice for what could be a life-saving purchase.

Call 020 7536 2345

Email sales@totaloffice.co.uk