1.Purpose
The University of North Carolina Greensboro is committed to the health and safety of its students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Consistent with these values and applicable North Carolina law, UNCG has established a program to address the management and placement of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) on campus.
The use of an AED is one step in the process of improving survival rates for victims of sudden cardiac arrest. According to the American Red Cross, each year in the United States over 250,000 people die of sudden cardiac arrest before reaching a hospital. A person’s chance of survival can be increased by establishing a Chain of Survival system that includes early recognition (calling 911), early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), early defibrillation, and access to advanced cardiac life support by emergency medical services (EMS) and medical facilities.
The goal of this policy is to ensure that AEDs installed on campus are safely maintained and used, and to promote training and easy access to installed AEDs.
2.Scope
This policy applies to property owned, leased or managed by any entity or component of The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
3.Policy
3.1Liability and Good Samaritan Laws
Use of an AED during an emergency to attempt to save the life of another person who is, or who appears to be, in cardiac arrest is considered “first aid or emergency healthcare treatment.” The law provides that a person who uses an AED to attempt to save or to save a life shall be immune from civil liability unless the person was grossly negligent or intentionally engaged in wrongdoing when rendering the treatment. Additionally, North Carolina law expressly provides immunity from civil liability for those who (1) obtain and maintain AEDs, as long as training is provided about their use, and (2) use such devices to attempt to save a life.
3.2AED Purchases and Program Administration
The Office of Environmental Health and Safety is charged to assist in providing a safe and healthful environment, free from recognized hazards which may cause serious injury to students, employees, and visitors. This charge includes the oversight and administration of the University AED Policy. All purchases of AEDs must be approved by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety.
3.3Supporting Procedures and Information
The University will publish on its publicly accessible website, and update as appropriate, the following information and materials to facilitate this policy:
- Procedures by which the Office of Environmental Health and Safety shall administer the AED policy (“The AED Program and Procedures”).
- Applicable forms, materials and other information to assist University departments in complying with the provision of this Policy.
4.Compliance and Enforcement
4.1
Compliance with this policy and the AED Program and Procedures is required as a condition of purchasing, operating, and maintaining AEDs at UNC Greensboro. All AED units purchased after the effective date of this policy must be approved pursuant to this policy and the AED Program and Procedures. AED units purchased before the effective date of this policy are expected to achieve compliance by December 31, 2019.
4.2
The Office of Environmental Health and Safety is responsible for oversight and administration of the University AED Program consistent with this policy and the AED Program and Procedures. University departments with AED units will be subject to announced and unannounced compliance inspections. Departments are responsible for costs associated with maintaining their AED units, including those associated with addressing inspection findings. Findings of noncompliance will be reported to the responsible department chair or unit leader and may also be escalated to the leadership of the college or division and to other University officials as needed.
4.3
Failure to comply with the requirements of this policy or the requirements further outlined in the AED Program and Procedures may result in sanctions at UNC Greensboro, including disciplinary action.
5.Additional Information
5.1Resources
5.2Review
This policy shall be reviewed every three years or when applicable regulations change.
5.3Approving Authority
Chancellor
5.4Policy Owners
Director of Environmental Health and Safety, Tim Slone; email: [email protected]
Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration
5.5Contact for Additional Information and Reporting
Office of Environmental Health and Safety
724 Stirling Street
Greensboro, NC 27402
(336)334-4357
[email protected]
Revisions
| Revision Date | Revision Summary |
|---|---|
| 07/19/2019 | Updated section 4.1 to provide a deadline of December 31, 2019 for AED units purchased prior to the adoption of this policy to attain compliance. |
| 10/10/2024 | Updated to reflect renaming of division of “Business Affairs” to ”Finance and Administration” |