Saint Thomas Chest Pain Network awarded HRSA grant for placement of AEDs in 14 rural communities

The Saint Thomas Chest Pain Network, a network service provided by Saint Thomas Health Services, was recently awarded a $100,000 Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant from the United States Department of Health and Human Services for the placement of full-rescue Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in 14 rural communities throughout the network.

“Rural communities are traditionally medically underserved areas and Saint Thomas Health Services and our network of chest pain centers have been fortunate to play a critical role in providing care to underserved counties throughout parts of Tennessee and Kentucky”

An AED is a portable electronic device that automatically detects potentially life-threatening heart problems that require a shock to reestablish an effective rhythm. AEDs tell the rescuer when a shock is needed and how to give a shock - simple and easy. If used within a few minutes of administering CPR, there is a good chance of saving the life of someone whose heart has stopped.

"Our goal is to improve the care and outcome for cardiac patients. With this funding, we will be able to define optimal locations for placement of these devices and identify educational needs in all of the counties that have been assessed by the network in order to have the best chance of saving the life of someone with sudden cardiac arrest," said Ranee Curtis, Director of the Saint Thomas Chest Pain Network.

The grant will provide for 110 new AEDs. The Chest Pain Network will be working collaboratively with each county EMS team, area Air Evac helicopter bases and Zoll, the AHA-certified equipment manufacturer, to place the AEDs and train users in each of the 14 counties, prioritized by need and proximity to medical care.

Additionally, the Chest Pain Network plans to work in conjunction with EMS directors to identify the best locations for placement within each community, including emergency vehicles and county buildings.

Zoll gave the Chest Pain Network a significant discount on the new equipment and plans to help with user education in all 14 counties. The training will begin in June 2010 and continue through April 2011, completing 3 counties per quarter.

"Less than 70% of cardiac victims survive because people don't have access to a defibrillator and don't know how to perform CPR. It is crucial that we help as many communities as possible become educated on life-saving techniques," said Adam Britt of Zoll.

Through their collaboration, the Chest Pain Network has helped 14 rural facilities in Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky become accredited Chest Pain Centers, enhancing the capability of rural service areas to deliver treatment to the cardiac patient.

"Rural communities are traditionally medically underserved areas and Saint Thomas Health Services and our network of chest pain centers have been fortunate to play a critical role in providing care to underserved counties throughout parts of Tennessee and Kentucky," added Ranee Curtis. "We are grateful to the United States Department of Health and Human Services for their generosity, and with these funds, we'll be able to continue making an impact in underserved communities."

This is the third grant the Chest Pain Network has received and they will have the option for grant renewal next year.

The grant will benefit all residents of Tennessee's Coffee, Cumberland, Decatur, Franklin, Giles, Hardin, Henry, Hickman, Lawrence, Lincoln and Overton counties as well as Kentucky's Graves, Logan and Monroe counties.