Developing a cardiac emergency response plan

Michigan law now requires that schools have a written cardiac emergency response plan. A cardiac emergency response plan includes recognizing the signs of sudden cardiac arrest, calling
9-1-1, and initiating the use of CPR and AED until local EMS arrives. Questions to consider in developing a cardiac emergency response plan:

• What defines a cardiac emergency?

• What are the signs of sudden cardiac arrest?

• How will the emergency response team and EMS be activated?

• What are the roles of the responders?

• How will students be managed?

The following documents were created by the Michigan Alliance for Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death of the Young (MAP-SCDY) to assist Michigan schools with a written cardiac emergency plan template. These samples may be modified for use at your school, and should be reviewed by the appropriate legal counsel for your school.

• Cardiac Emergency Response Plan

• Cardiac Emergency Response Team

• Cardiac Emergency Response Protocol

• Project ADAM – CPR/AED drill

• Contacting your local EMS – State of Michigan Medical Control Authorities Directory

These additional resources created by national organizations may also be helpful to schools developing a cardiac emergency response plan:

• American Heart Association’s Cardiac Emergency Response Plan for Schools

• American Heart Association’s Be the Beat programBe the Beat is an online Sudden Cardiac Arrest awareness initiative to teach teens all across the country the simple steps that can save a life — and create the next generation of lifesavers. Please watch the HANDS-ONLY^TM CPR video.

• Anyone Can Save a Life– A comprehensive emergency (SCA) response program for after-school practices and events.

• Medical Emergency Response Planning for Schools (Slideshow)

• Project ADAM Videos to assist schools to be prepared for cardiac emergency

Cardiac Emergency Response Drills

The following resources contain information about how to conduct cardiac emergency response drills.

• Kimberly Anne Gillary Foundation’s AED Video Contest winner and press release

• How to conduct an AED practice drill

• Drill Dr. Heart – Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association’s plan to prepare for sudden cardiac arrest

• Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association’s “Keep it Beating” Program – An educational program in two 45 minute sessions to raise awareness of SCA and the importance of bystander response