City of Salem Accepts Donation of Two Automated External Defibrillators
City of Salem Accepts Donation of Two Automated External Defibrillators
North Shore Medical Center donates AEDs for Salem City Hall and City Hall Annex
SALEM, MA – The City of Salem accepted the generous donation of two new automated external defibrillators (AEDs) last week from North Shore Medical Center and Partners Healthcare. One of the Philips brand HeartStart OnSite AEDs will be installed at City Hall, 93 Washington Street, and the other at City Hall Annex, 120 Washington Street.
While any City employee who wishes to be trained on the use of the units will be able to receive that training courtesy of the Salem Fire Department, the units are designed to be easily utilized by anyone, even without training. The OnSite AED features automatic guidance features, including voice prompts, easy to follow graphical instructions, and CPR coaching to aid in the treatment of sudden cardiac arrest.
“I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to North Shore Medical Center for this generous donation,” said Mayor Driscoll. “Salem City Hall and City Hall Annex are such busy, public spaces, with residents, visitors, and public employees coming and going from early in the morning to, often, late in the evening. I’m very pleased we’re now able to offer this important public health amenity in both locations and am grateful to North Shore Medical Center for their donation to the City.”
The OnSite, which retails for around $1,200 a unit, features sensors that detect which step of the defibrillation process the user is on and adjusts the settings and guidance accordingly. As it senses the user’s actions, it modifies the instructions and energy level, even repeating or rephrasing instructions if necessary. Before the unit delivers a shock, it will automatically check to make sure the shock is necessary and the correct therapy is being administered by the user. If the unit is set for use on an infant or child, it will automatically adjust to a lower energy setting and provide coaching instructions specific to infant or child CPR. The unit self-tests daily, to ensure it is in good working order and ready for use.
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