Local Hospital Donates Defibrillators to EPC

(DAWN HOOVER, RN, HSHS ST. ANTHONY'S MEMORIAL HOSPITAL COMMUNITY PROGRAMS INSTRUCTOR, DEMONSTRATES THE USE OF THE AUTOMATIC EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR, TO RICH JORN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE EFFINGHAM PERFORMANCE CENTER AFTER THERESA RUTHERFORD, ST. ANTHONY'S PRESIDENT AND C-E-O PRESENTED TWO A-E-D'S TO THE HOSPITAL AS A DONATION FROM THE HOSPITAL)

HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital recently donated two Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to the Effingham Performance Center to assist them in emergency preparedness.  In addition, Community Programs instructors from the hospital provided EPC staff members with training on CPR and how to use the AED. 

An AED is a portable defibrillator designed to be automated such that it can be used by those without substantial medical training who are responding to a cardiac emergency.  The defibrillator delivers a brief electroshock to the heart through electrodes (pads) placed on the chest.  With the AED, it can check a person’s heart rhythm through the pads, recognize a rhythm that requires a shock, and advise the rescuer when a shock is needed, using clear and concise voice prompts on placing the pads and when to step away before the shock is delivered.

Cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in the U.S. According to the American Heart Association, each year, emergency medical services (EMS) treat about 360,000 victims of cardiac arrest before they reach the hospital, Less than 10 percent of those victims survive. Using an AED is an effective treatment for restoring a regular heart rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest and is an easy to operate tool for someone with no medical background.  And with cardiac arrest, time is of the essence. The American Heart Association estimates that a victim’s chance of survival decreases by 7 to 10 percent for every minute that passes without defibrillation.

With the amount of people that frequent the EPC for its concerts and performances, the AEDs will help provide an extra level of comfort and safety for the patrons and the EPC staff, should someone suffer a cardiac emergency while at the EPC.

For more information about HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, visit St. Anthony’s Web site at stanthonyshospital.org.  HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital is part of the Southern Illinois Division of Hospital Sisters Health System, which also includes HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville, HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese, and HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland.