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  1. AED registration
  2. User agreement

User agreement and Washington state AED legislation

The purpose of having a user agreement is to inform the owner/user/acquirer of an automated external defibrillator (AED) of Washington State requirements as defined in RCW 70.54.310.

Medical oversight

Washington state law requires that a licensed physician or osteopath provide medical direction to a person or entity purchasing an AED. The role of the Medical Director is to provide medical leadership, ensure the program is medically sound, oversee medical care that is rendered through the program, ensure skill maintenance, and assume responsibility for the clinical conduct and operation of the program.

Options for medical direction:

  1. If you live in Seattle, medical direction can be provided by the Seattle Medic One Medical Program Director.
  2. If you live in King County, medical direction can be provided by the King County EMS Medical Director.
  3. An owner/acquirer may choose their own medical director.

Washington state RCW 70.54.310

A 1998 Washington state law was enacted to promote implementation of a citizen defibrillation program by outlining acceptable practices and to protect medical directors and other program participants from civil liability in the use of an AED in an emergency setting. In addition, the legislation protects lay responders using a defibrillator in an emergency setting if that individual is acting as a Good Samaritan under RCW 4.24.300. In response, the Public Health EMS Division in partnership with the Seattle Fire Department and fire departments in King County developed the Community AED Program to reduce the time to defibrillation by having community members use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) before EMS arrives.

Implementation

  • Complete the registration process.
  • Acquire medical direction OR accept medical direction from the Seattle or King County Medical Director.
  • Train employees using a Washington State approved course and trainer (a list is provided under the heading "Approved Training Courses and Instructors").
  • Select a site coordinator for your facility.
  • Make arrangements to have a site visit by contacting the Community AED Program Coordinator at 206-263-8317.
  • Develop a plan for regular checks and maintenance of your device consistent with the manufacturer's guidelines, including routine check of battery operation and replacement of expired chest pads.
  • Anytime the AED is applied to a patient, regardless of whether a shock was delivered, please contact Laura Miccile, CPR/PAD Program Manager, at laura.miccile@kingcounty.gov or the Seattle coordinator at 206-521-1588.