Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
Click here for a map of AED locations
An AED (automated external defibrillator) is a piece of medical equipment used to treat cardiac
arrhythmias and cardiac arrest. It automatically diagnoses the hearts rhythm to determine if a shock
needs to be administered to a person, and will deliver that shock if needed. As technology for this
equipment has improved and the cost to purchase them has decreased over the last several years, more
AEDs are being used in public and private settings.
While studies done by the American Heart Association (AHA) show that AEDs can in fact save lives, the
use of onsite portable AEDs may not always be the most effective care that can be provided to someone
in cardiac arrest on our campus. The Ontario Pre-hospital Advanced Life Support Study (OPALS) is the
gold standard in cardiac arrest studies. It found that locations that were able to provide optimal rapid
defibrillation (emergency personnel administering shock in less than 8 minutes) were effective in the
survival of a person suffering from cardiac arrest. Ability of EMS to respond quickly, CPR and AED
training, and the appropriate placement of maintained AEDs are important keys in the improvement of
survival. Many areas on the University of Kentucky’s campus have less than an 8 minute response time
for emergency personnel and therefore an AED may not be necessary. UK Occupational Health & Safety
requires that departments submit an official request form for approval before procuring an AED so that a
review of your specific need for having this regulated piece of equipment can be done.
Why should Occupational Health & Safety be contacted before a department/building purchases an AED?
OH&S wants to ensure that AED boxes are installed in easily accessible and visible areas so that trained
staff can locate and access them quickly. We also want to make sure that they are maintained
appropriately and used in a safe manner. This means that each building or area that has or intends to
procure and AED has someone assigned to manage the equipment and perform all other duties that are
required by law when in possession of one.
What are the regulations that must be followed if an AED is purchased?
KRS 311.667 requires the following:
- If you acquire an AED you must inform an agent of the local emergency medical services system
and the local emergency communications or vehicle dispatch center. The location and type of
AED acquired must be given to this agent (i.e. local 911/dispatch). - People that will be expected to use the AED must be properly trained in CPR and AED use.
- Maintenance and testing of the AED must be done in accordance with the guidelines set by the
- manufacturer of the AED equipment.
- Oversight of your AED program must be by a physician who is licensed to practice in the state of
Kentucky. - If the AED is used for emergency care or treatment for a person in cardiac arrest, the local
emergency medical services system must be notified as soon as possible. The licensed physician
performing oversight of your AED program must also be informed. Complete KY statute regarding AEDs.
Where can we get trained for AED use?
UK Occupational Health & Safety provides training in CPR and AED use free for full-time UK campus employees. To receive training from UK OHS, please contact Josh Valverde.
Does Kentucky have a Good Samaritan law in regards to the use of an AED?
Yes, the state of Kentucky does have a Good Samaritan law for AED use. This law provides immunity
from civil liability for any personal injury that results from the use of an AED for treatment or care as
long as they are not grossly negligent in this care. If you have any additional questions about AED use,
requirements by law, or if you currently have an AED in your building, please contact UK Occupational
Health & Safety at 257-3827. We will be happy to provide assistance or make recommendations about
AED procurement or use.
KRS AED Summary
311.666 Definitions for KRS 311.665 to 311.669
As used in KRS 311.665 to 311.669, unless the context requires otherwise:
- "Automated external defibrillator" or "AED" means an external defibrillator
capable of cardiac rhythm analysis which will charge and, with or without
further operator action, deliver a shock after electronically detecting and
assessing ventricular fibrillation or rapid ventricular tachycardia. These devices
are known as fully or semiautomatic defibrillators; - "Cardiopulmonary resuscitation" or "CPR" means a basic emergency
procedure for life support, consisting of artificial respiration and manual
external cardiac massage; and - "Emergency medical services system" means the same as in KRS 311A.010.
Effective:July 15, 2002
History: Amended 2002 Ky. Acts ch. 211, sec. 39, effective July 15, 2002. --
Created 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 16, sec. 2, effective July 14, 2000.
Legislative Research Commission Note (7/14/2000).In codification, a reference
in subsection (3) to "KRS 211.950" has been changed to "KRS 311.6521." See
2000 Ky. Acts ch. 343, sec. 1.
311.667 Requirements for person or entity acquiring an automated external
defibrillator.
In order to ensure public health and safety:
- A person or entity who acquires an AED shall ensure that:
- Expected AED users receive American Heart Association or American
Red Cross training in CPR and AED use, or an equivalent nationally
recognized course in CPR and AED use; - The AED is maintained and tested according to the manufacturer's
operational guidelines; - There is medical oversight of the AED program by a physician licensed in
Kentucky to ensure compliance with requirements for training,
maintenance, notification, and communication with the local emergency
medical services system. The physician providing oversight shall also
work with the AED site to establish protocols for AED deployment and
conduct a review of each use of an AED; and - Any person who renders emergency care or treatment on a person in
cardiac arrest by using an AED activates the local emergency medical
services system as soon as possible and, if an entity with an AED
program, reports any clinical use of the AED to the licensed physician. - Any person or entity who acquires an AED shall notify an agent of the local
emergency medical services system and the local emergency communications
or vehicle dispatch center of the existence, location, and type of AED acquired.
- Expected AED users receive American Heart Association or American
History: Created 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 16, sec. 3, effective July 14, 2000.
311.668 Immunity from civil liability for user of automated external defibrillator -- Exemption from KRS 311.667 for Good Samaritan.
- Any person or entity who, in good faith and without compensation, renders
emergency care or treatment by the use of an AED shall be immune from civil
liability for any personal injury as a result of the care or treatment, or as a result
of any act or failure to act in providing or arranging further medical treatment,
where the person acts as an ordinary, reasonable prudent person would have
acted under the same or similar circumstances. - The immunity from civil liability for any personal injury under subsection
- of
this section includes the licensed physician who is involved with AED site
placement, the person or entity who provides the CPR and AED site
placement, the person or entity who provides the CPR and AED training, and
the person or entity responsible for the site where the AED is located.
- of
this section includes the licensed physician who is involved with AED site
- The immunity from civil liability under subsection (1) of this section does not
apply if the personal injury results from the gross negligence or willful or
wanton misconduct of the person rendering the emergency care. - The requirements of KRS 311.667 shall not apply to any individual using an
AED in an emergency setting if that individual is acting as a Good Samaritan
under KRS 313.035 and 411.148.
Effective:July 15, 2010
History: Amended 2010 Ky. Acts ch. 85, sec. 21, effective July 15, 2010. --
Created 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 16, sec. 4, effective July 14, 2000.
311.669 Professionals to whom KRS 311.665 to 311.669 does not apply --
Licensing boards may require continuing education and training.
- The provisions of KRS 311.665 to 311.669 shall not apply to the use of an AED
by:- Physicians, podiatrists, or osteopaths licensed under KRS Chapter 311 or
chiropractors licensed under KRS Chapter 312; - Physician assistants as defined in KRS 311.550;
- Registered nurses, practical nurses, or advanced practice registered
nurses licensed under KRS Chapter 314; - Dentists licensed under KRS Chapter 313; or
- Paramedics licensed, or first responders or emergency medical
technicians certified, under KRS Chapter 311A.
- Physicians, podiatrists, or osteopaths licensed under KRS Chapter 311 or
- Nothing in this section shall preclude the licensing boards referred to in
subsection (1) of this section from requiring continuing education or training on
the use of an AED.
Effective:July 15, 2010
History: Amended 2010 Ky. Acts ch. 85, sec. 49, effective July 15, 2010. --
Amended 2002 Ky. Acts ch. 211, sec. 40, effective July 15, 2002; and ch. 320,
sec. 3, effective July 15, 2002. -- Created 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 16, sec. 5, effective
July 14, 2000.
Legislative Research Commission Note (7/15/2002). This section was amended
by 2002 Ky. Acts chs. 211 and 320. Where these Acts are not in conflict, they
have been codified together. Where a conflict exists, under KRS 446.250, ch.
320 would prevail as the Act last enacted by the General Assembly. However,
ch. 320, sec. 4, provides: "Nothing in this Act shall be construed under KRS
7.123(4) as appearing to effect any substantive change in the statute law of
Kentucky, and the actions contained within this Act shall not operate under KRS
446.250 or 446.260 to defeat any amendments in other Acts of this 2002
Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly to the statutes contained in
this Act." Accordingly, where ch. 211, sec. 40, and ch. 320, sec. 3, are in
conflict, ch. 211 prevails.
